Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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IN PETTO

Also in pectore, i.e., secretly. Applied to the Pope when he announces a general decision but reserves for later publication the particular form of what he has decided. Generally refers to the choice of cardinals in petto, whose names are not announced.