ABLEGATO. — This name designates an ecclesiastic appointed by the Pontiff to undertake particular missions, such as: 1) conveying the blessed swaddling bands to sovereigns for newborn hereditary princes; 2) delivering the insignia of the blessed sword and hat to new sovereigns or to commanders of armies who have rendered outstanding service to the Church in the defense of religion; 3) carrying the cardinalitial hat to new cardinals absent from Rome; 4) golden rose (v.) to princesses or other persons distinguished for services rendered to the Church, or to renowned shrines and cathedral churches. For this latter ceremony, now rare, nuncios or bishops are usually designated, accompanied by a prince chosen from among the two delegates appointed as bearers of the golden rose, one belonging to the Barberini family and the other to the Lancellotti family.
More frequent, and at present virtually the sole office of the a., is the delivery of the cardinalitial hat. When an apostolic nuncio in office is created cardinal, the Pontiff sends him the red hat through the a., who is, or on this occasion becomes, a secret chamberlain. The participating secret chamberlain, who precisely bears the title of Nuntius, would be especially suited to this mission; but the Pontiff may entrust it to other persons and, exceptionally, even to a layman.