Papal Bull

Vatican Chancery, originally sealed with lead (sometimes with precious metal, now more commonly with red ink). The term derived from the Latin bulla referring to the boiled appearance of the seal. There has never been an exact distinction of usage between a bull and other forms of communication, such as a Papal brief.

Examples of papal bulls

• Omne Datum Optimum, 1139
• Milites Templi, 1144 - Celestine II
• Militia Dei, 1145 - Eugenius III
• Clericis Laicos, 1296 - Boniface VIII
• Unam Sanctam, 1302 - Boniface VIII
• Regnans in coelis, 1308 - Clement V
• Aeterni regis, 1481 - Sixtus IV
• Summis desiderantes, 1484 - Innocent VIII
• Inter caetera, 1493 - Alexander VI
• Regimini militantis, September 27, 1540 - Paul III
• Injunctum nobis, March 14, 1543 - Paul III
• In Coena Domini, 1568 - Pius V
• Regnans in Excelsis, 1570 - Pius V
• Gratia Divina, 1656
• Unigenitus, 1713 - Clement XI

See also: Abbreviator