What is "ultramontanism"

Ultramontanism \Ul`tra*mon"ta*nism\, n. [Cf. F. ultramontanisme.] The principles of those within the Roman Catholic Church who maintain extreme views favoring the pope's supremacy; -- so used by those living north of the Alps in reference to the Italians; -- rarely used in an opposite sense, as referring to the views of those living north of the Alps and opposed to the papal claims. Cf. Gallicanism.

n. A Roman Catholic philosophy that emphasises the prerogatives and powers of the Pope.

n. (Roman Catholic Church) the policy that the absolute authority of the church should be vested in the pope

Ultramontanism is a clerical political conception within the Catholic Church that places strong emphasis on the prerogatives and powers of the Pope.