• The diplomatic agent of the pope highest in grade, superior to a nuncio.
Vatican representative with no diplomatic status and hence no power to deal with civil governments. His relations are with the ecclesiastical ... [1 related articles]
Representative of the Pope without diplomatic title who, in the area assigned (the Apostolic Delegation), which usually includes several dioceses, apostolic vicariates and prelacies, observes the conditions of the Church to keep the Holy Father informed
Ap`os·tol'ic del'e·gate (R. C. Ch.) The diplomatic agent of the pope highest in grade, superior to a nuncio. 
[n] - (Roman Catholic) a representative of the Holy See in a country that has no formal diplomatic relations with it
noun (Roman Catholic Church) a representative of the Holy See in a country that has no formal diplomatic relations with it
a representative of the pope in a country that has no regular diplomatic relations with the Vatican. Cf.