AUDIENTIA SANCTISSIMI. — When a Congregation or other dicastery of the Roman Curia is requested to grant a favor, faculty, dispensation, etc., which even the head of the Congregation or dicastery does not have the power to grant, he reports it to the Pope in an audience (usually in a scheduled audience: V. UDINEZ POINTIFICIE). If the Pope orders or permits the granting of what has been requested, the favor, faculty, or dispensation is said to be granted ex A. S.