HOLINESS, is alſo a title of quality attributed to the pope; as that of maieſty is to kings. Even kings, when writing to the pope, addreſs him under the venerable
appellation of Your Holineſſe, or Holy Father; in Latin, Sanctiſſime or Beatiffime Pater. Anciently the ſame title was given to all biſhops. The Greek emperors alſo were addreſſed under the title of Holineſſe, in regard of their being anointed with holy oil at their coronation. Du Cange adds, that ſome of the kings of England have had the ſame attribute; and that the orientals have frequently reſuſed it to the pope.