Popes have been influencing the world for centuries, but you might be surprised to discover just how often they crop up in our everyday conversations. In fact, today I was watching someone on television and found myself thinking that they were pontificating. And that got me wondering about all the other words we use in everyday life that have a little papal influence. So here are six expressions with fascinating connections to papal and Catholic history. Some might not come as much of a surprise, but others show just how deeply the Church has worked its way into our everyday language. Let’s begin with least palatable one. These days, nepotism is what happens when the boss’s thoroughly unqualified nephew somehow lands the best job in the company. And as it happens, nephews are exactly where the word comes from. The term derives from the Italian nepotismo, which comes from nipote, meaning nephew. During the Renaissance Read More…

6 Everyday expressions with surprising papal connections