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<p>A <b>papal bull</b> is a type of public decree, <a href="page.php?w=letters_patent">letters patent</a>, or <a href="page.php?w=charter">charter</a> issued by the <a href="page.php?w=pope">pope</a> of the <a href="page.php?w=Catholic_Church">Catholic Church</a>. It is named after the leaden <a href="page.php?w=Seal_%28emblem%29">seal</a> (<a href="page.php?w=bulla_%28seal%29">bulla</a>) traditionally appended to authenticate it.</p>

<p><big>History</big></p>
<p>Papal bulls have been in use at least since the 6th century, but the phrase was not used until</p><p>
<a accesskey="3" href="page.php?w=papal_bull&amp;p=2">3.Next</a>
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