Nuncio \Nun"ci*o\, n.; pl. Nuncios. [It. nunzio, nuncio, fr. L. nuncius, nuntius, messenger; perh. akin to novus new, E. new, and thus, one who brings news. Cf. Announce.]

1. A messenger. [Obs.]

--Shak.

2. The permanent official representative of the pope at a foreign court or seat of government. Distinguished from a legate a latere, whose mission is temporary in its nature, or for some special purpose. Nuncios are of higher rank than internuncios.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)