Assistant to the Papal Throne

ASSISTENTE AL SOGLIO. - This is a high honour, instituted in the 16th century, which is conferred upon ecclesiastical and secular personages, and which entails the privilege of obtaining a distinguished place near the Pope’s throne during pontifical functions, after the cardinals. Patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops a. al s. pontificio constitute a college (with its own secretary) which in the pontifical Chapels immediately follows the college of cardinals: at present (1948) the ecclesiastics a. al s. number 8 patriarchs, 70 archbishops, and 105 bishops.

Lay a. al s. are by right the prince Colonna and the prince Orsini, who take turns at the side

of the Pope enthroned during solemn functions. This right, belonging to the firstborn of the principal branch of the two families, dates back to Julius II (1503) for the Colonna and to Paul III (1540) for the Orsini.

Vittorio Bartoccetti