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Holiness (style) facts for kids

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Papal styles of
Holiness (style)
Coat of arms of Franciscus.svg
Reference style His Holiness
Spoken style Your Holiness
Religious style Holy Father

The special title His Holiness or Her Holiness (and the way you address them, Your Holiness) is used for important leaders in many religions. It's a very old title, used for the pope in Catholicism for hundreds of years. This title is also given to Oriental Orthodox patriarchs or Catholicoi. You'll also find it used for religious leaders in Islam, Buddhism, and Bon. Famous Buddhist leaders who use this title include Lu Sheng-yen, the Dalai Lama, and the Menri Trizin.

Religious Leaders in Buddhism and Bon

The English title "His Holiness" (and "Her Holiness" for women) has become common for leaders in other religions too. This includes Buddhist leaders like Lu Sheng-Yen, the Dalai Lama, the Gyalwa Karmapa, the Je Khenpo in Bhutan, and Shinso Ito from a branch of Shingon Buddhism called Shinnyo-en. In the Bön religion, the leader of the Menri Monastery is also called "His Holiness."

Religious Leaders in Christianity

The Catholic Church and the Pope

Pope Francis South Korea 2014
Pope Francis (born 1936)

His Holiness (which is Sanctitas in Latin) is the official way to address the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope.

The Pope has a very long official title, but it's rarely used. It includes many important roles, such as:

  • His Holiness (Francis)
  • Bishop of Rome
  • Vicar of Jesus Christ (meaning a representative of Jesus)
  • Successor of the Prince of the Apostles
  • Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church
  • Primate of Italy
  • Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province
  • Sovereign of the Vatican City State
  • Servant of the servants of God

The most common title, "Pope," isn't in this official list. However, it's widely used in documents and signed as "PP," which stands for Papa (Pope). The official book of the Holy See, the Annuario Pontificio, now lists most of these titles as "historical titles."

When talking about popes, their special name is usually translated into local languages. For example, he is Papa Franciscus in Latin, Papa Francesco in Italian, and Pope Francis in English.

In 2013, when Pope Benedict XVI resigned, the Church announced he would still be called "His Holiness" as the pope emeritus (retired pope).

Sometimes, "His Holiness" is shortened to "HH" or "H.H." This is done when it won't be confused with "His/Her Highness," which is a title for royalty.

Orthodox Churches and Their Leaders

The title His Holiness (Sanctitas in Latin) is also used for the leaders of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, called Catholicoi or patriarchs.

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the main leader, the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople, has an even higher title: His All Holiness (often shortened to HAH). This title is also used for some other Eastern patriarchs, especially those who lead a church that doesn't follow the Pope in Rome or the Patriarch in Constantinople.

Religious Leaders in Islam

In Islam, the title "His Holiness" is used in the Ahmadiyya Sunni branch for their Fifth Caliph, Mirza Masroor Ahmad. It is also used in the Dawoodi Bohra group of Ismaili Shia Muslims for their leader, the Da'i al-Mutlaq, known as Syedna. Most Dawoodi Bohras recognize Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin as their 53rd Da'i al-Mutlaq.

  • Baitan Nur Mosque Inauguration - Stephen Harper-2

    Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Fifth Ahmadiyya Caliph

  • Mufaddal Saifuddin Houstan Ashara

    Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, 53rd Da'i al-Mutlaq

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Su santidad para niños

  • Honorifics
  • English honorifics
  • Honorifics (linguistics)
  • Papal titles
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