CAUDATARIO. - I. C. OF THE POPE. - This c., or bearer of the train, must always hold up the train of the pontifical cassock. He is appointed by a note from the mons. maggiordomo, as soon as the new Pontiff has been created; the latter usually declares to be such the c. chaplain who served him during his cardinalate, and who becomes secret chaplain and c.
The c., in cavalcades (v.), or when the Pope went out in a noble, semi-public, or city carriage, formed part of the papal cortege. Among other things, he has the duty of carrying the vessel containing the viscera of the deceased Pontiff, when his body is embalmed, to the church of SS. Vincenzo ed Anastasio at Piazza di Trevi, to be interred in the appropriate tomb. The c. has also held certain offices in the Apostolic Palace; in 1720 he was appointed pontifical ablegato to carry the cardinalitial birettas to Spain for the bishop of Murcia and the patriarch of the Indies.
II. C. OF THE CARDINALS. - The c. who holds the train of the cardinalitial robe in papal chapels. On the morning of the public consistory for the imposition of the galero, he dons for the first time the attire that he will thereafter always wear in the said chapels, namely collar, cassock, and purple silk sash, over which he places the croccia of serge of the same colour, with hood, short sleeves, and silk facings. Over these garments, when the cardinals put on the sacred vestments, he assumes the surplice. The c. sits on the second step of the bench where the cardinals take their places during papal functions.
The c. wears the same attire also when a cardinal performs pontifical functions.
III. C. OF BISHOPS. - He holds the train of the bishop’s cappa or cassock during sacred functions, wearing a surplice over a black cassock.