In Case the Pope is on Your Christmas Card List This Year . . .

Dear John Paul...

To His Holiness JP II...

Dear ????...

Not sure how to address that envelope to the Pope? Or maybe you're spreading Christmas cheer to your town's mayor or your local congressman and are stumped in the salutation department.

You may never have to address anyone of the following ranks (in person or in writing) but here's a brief reference just in case:

US President
Dear Mr. President

Foreign Head of State: Prime Minister
Excellency or Dear Mr./Madam Prime Minister

Foreign Head of State: President of a Republic
Excellency or Dear Mr./Madam President

US Supreme Court Chief Justice
Dear Mr./Madam Chief Justice

Speaker of the US House of Representatives
Dear Mr./Madam Speaker

US Senator
Dear Senator (name)

Mayor
Dear Mayor (name)

Judge
Dear Judge (name)

American Ambassador
Dear Mr./Madam Ambassador

Foreign Ambassador to the US
Excellency or Dear Mr./Madam Ambassador

Speaker of the US House of Representatives
Dear Mr./Madam Speaker

Military
Dear (full rank) + (last name)
Ex: Dear Staff Sergeant Alexander

The Pope
Your Holiness or Most Holy Father

Cardinal
Your Eminence

Roman Catholic Bishop
Your Excellency

Episcopal Bishop
Right Reverend Sir

Protestant Bishop
Dear Bishop (name)

Roman Catholic Priest
Dear Reverend Father or Dear Father

Protestant Clergyman/woman
Dear Mr./Mrs. (name) or Dear Dr. (name)

Rabbi
Dear Rabbi (name) or Dear Dr. (name)

King/Queen
Your Majesty

Prince/Princess
Your Royal Highness

College/University President
Dear President (name) or Dear Dr. (name)

College/University Dean
Dear Dean (name) or Dear Dr. (name)

College/University Professor
Dear Professor (name) or Dear Dr. (name)