Nuncio
/ˈnʌn.si.oʊ/noun
A papal diplomat or envoy, especially one serving as the Holy See’s representative to a government.
Did you know?Nuncio comes from Latin *nuntius*, “messenger” or “message,” the same root that gave English *announce*, *denounce*, and *renounce* — words of declaration, rejection, and power.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
nuntius
“a messenger; a message”
Late Latin
Latin
nuntius
“a papal envoy or messenger”
Italian
Italian
nunzio
“an envoy, ambassador, or messenger”
16th Century
English
nuncio
“a papal ambassador or legate”
Modern English
English
nuncio
“a papal diplomatic representative”