BULLA IN COENA DOMINI. — This bull, which enumerates a series of excommunications reserved to the Pope, took its name from the fact that it was read every year on Holy Thursday (feria V in Coena Domini) in the loggia of St Peter’s Basilica in the presence of the Pope, the cardinals, and the papal court. Its origins are uncertain; some authors trace it back to Clement V. Several chapters are found in the constitution *Apostolatus officium* issued by Urban V in 1363, in *Quod antidota* of Martin V (1418), in *Olim* of Nicholas V (1451), and in other papal documents.
The first known version is *Connoeverunt*, issued by Julius II in 1511. The definitive version, containing 20 chapters, is the *Pastoralis* of Paul V, dated 8 April 1610.
Vigorously opposed by various sovereigns, especially in Germany and France, the opposition to the bull grew even stronger when, in 1768, Clement XIII excommunicated Ferdinand, Duke of Parma, for violating the rights of the Holy See and ecclesiastical immunities. The bull was abolished by Clement XIV (1769–74). The principal offences it foresaw include: heresy and the protection given to heretics, appealing from the Pope to a future council, piracy, forgery of letters issued by the Holy See, enactment of laws contrary to the freedom of the Church, occupation of the lands of the Holy See, etc.