The Papal Bull

The Papal Bull is a letter or document that carries the signature of the Pope; its name is derived from the lead seal that mark's the document, the "bulla." It has a variety of meanings now but originally meant nothing more than a document put forward and signed by the Pope. By the 13th century it began to adopt a more formal meaning; the lead seal was only used on more important documents. Now it is only very particular documents that carry the Pope's title Episcopus servus servorum Die...the Servant of the servants of God.