Pontificate is the form of government used in the Vatican City The word come to English from French and do in other words simply means Papacy or "To perform the functions of the Pope or other high official in the Church." Since there is only one Bishop of Rome, or Pope is pontificate sometimes also used to describe the era of a Pope.It must not be confused with the Holy See, which since ancient times equals the episcopal see of Rome, while the Pontificate in the Vatican City is the type of government used there, and is neither a kingdom nor a republic.