Pontifical Archiatra (Archiatros)

PONTIFICAL ARCHIATRA (ARCHIATROS). - He is the private or secret physician of the Pope. The absence of any reference to this designation in the pontifical yearbooks indicates that the title of a. has fallen into disuse or, at least, no longer has that official character it once had. Moreover, even in ancient times the Pope's physicians were not always pontifical archiatri, since that qualification had to be expressly conferred upon them by the Pontiff through a note from the monsignor majordomo. Having received it, the a. had the relevant apostolic brief issued to him; after which the physician became a member of the Secret Chamber with the rank of participating secret chamberlain, becoming a prelate of the mantellone (so called for the garment he wore) and assuming the title of monsignor, although he was often married. To watch over the health of the Roman Pontiff, the a. would visit him either every day or several times a week, according to the will of their august client; sometimes they even attended at his ordinary table.

The a. was a member of the medical college of the Roman University and, when he did not hold its presidency, had a place immediately after the president.

At present, as has been said, the title of a. is replaced by the simpler one of "physician of His Holiness"; the latter is still a member of the Secret Chamber and takes his place among the familiars of the Pontiff, after the confessor of the Pontifical Family. Upon the death of the Pontiff, if, according to his dispositions, the embalming of the body is to be carried out, the a. attends this pious operation, ensuring that it is conducted with every discretion.