Firstly, it signifies the procedure required for a measure issued by the supreme authority of the Pope to be reconsidered. When the Pope has issued a measure or has specifically confirmed a measure of a lower prelate, no subordinate authority may re-examine it unless the Pope himself grants the facultas aperitionis oris, that is, the faculty to open the mind of the Supreme Pontiff. The Code of Canon Law (CIC) contemplates this case, though without using the expression, in can. 1683. Frequent practical applications of this juridical institution are found in the Thesaurus resolutionum S. C. Concilii, 167 vols., Rome 1739–1908; and in S. Pallottini, Collectio omnium conclusionum et resolutionum S. C. Concilii, 17 vols., Rome 1867 ff.
Secondly, it denotes a phase in the ceremonial used by the Supreme Pontiff for the creation of cardinals. In one of the secret consistories following the appointment of new cardinals, the Pope performs the double ceremony of closing and opening the mouth, which consists in first sealing and then granting the new appointees the right to speak in consistories and other assemblies of the Roman Curia (v. CONCISTORIO).
APHARSCHEI, (APHARSASTACHEI, APHARSEI): V. ALBARSACIN.