FAMIGLIA PONTIFICIA

### PONTIFICAL FAMILY

It is the family, in the broad sense, of the Roman Pontiff as head of the entire Church and therefore invested with sovereign prerogatives.

I. CONCEPT

The pontifical family has its own internal hierarchy, and the title of papal family member is highly honorable. It is often called the Papal Court, though this term is less appropriate, as it is rather used for temporal sovereigns; at times, under the ambiguous name of the Roman Court, Curia (v.), which, however, denotes something quite different. This confusion is facilitated by a common historical origin; a clear distinction between the pontifical family and the Roman Curia only becomes perceptible later. The fact that many members of the Roman Curia are also part of the pontifical family still contributes to the interchange of terms. It was natural that ecclesiastics and even laypersons present in the palace would take part in the sacred functions celebrated there, especially when the Supreme Pontiff was present or officiating. Hence the other term "Pontifical Chapel" (distinct from the Pontifical Musical Chapel) to denote the group of ecclesiastics and laypersons participating in solemn liturgical services, to which the Supreme Pontiff is present or could be present (Papal Chapel).

II. HISTORICAL NOTES

The maintenance of the pontifical family was funded by pilgrim offerings, the revenues of the Duchy of Rome, practically administered by the popes, and income from the lands the Holy See possessed in the south and Sicily. In the 9th century, a papal militia was established to defend ecclesiastical property. Further information about the pontifical family also dates from the Carolingian era. At its head was the *vicendiminus* (or *vicendimino*), under whom served the *cubicularii* (chamberlains), *cellerarii* (stewards), and *stiratores* (squires). The *nomenclator* was the grand master of ceremonies, and the *vestiarius* or *prior vestiarii* was the treasurer. The employees of the Chancery were called *notarii* or *scrinarii*, among whom the regional notaries were important; the first two in rank, the *primicerius* and *sentinarius*, were numbered among the great dignitaries of the Church. Later, the *primicerius* would be succeeded by the *primicerius* as head of the Chancery. Those in charge of administration included the *arcerarius* (cashier) and the *sacellarius* (paymaster), who had under them a body of *causidici*, both clerics and laypersons. The clerics later formed the body of the seven palatine judges (*primicerius*, *secundicerius*, *arcarius*, *sacellarius*, *protoscrinius*, *primicerius defensorum*, *nomenclator*). Other figures mentioned include the *consiliarius* and the *ordinator*, which soon disappeared from the pontifical family. The entire group of palace personnel was referred to as the *familia S. Petri*, though this term seems to have had a broader meaning as a synonym for ecclesiastical bureaucracy.

As the Papal States and ecclesiastical affairs expanded, the pontifical family grew accordingly.

A document from the 19th year of the pontificate of Nicholas III (1277) provides a picture of the composition of the pontifical family (P. L. Galletti, *Memorie di tre antiche chiese di Rieti*, Rome 1765, pp. 171-83); it mentions the *camerlengo*, now at the head of the Apostolic Palaces, five masters of the chamber, the last of whom was the *auditor camerae*, the vice-chancellor, the *marescalcus rusticus*, etc. It also lists the *domicelli*, chamberlains, chaplains, *cubicularii*, major and minor ushers (*ostiarii maiores et minores*), officials of the household (*officiales domicilii*), black and white servants (*servientes nigri et albi*), messengers (*cursores*), and mentions the Chancery, *elenostyna*, great and small kitchens (*coquina magna et parva*), white and black stables (*maenestalia alba et nigra*).

The greatest development of the pontifical family occurred during the Avignon period (1306-76), when many bishops and abbots flocked to the court, so much so that Innocent VI (1352-62) felt compelled to send them back to their homes. During this period, the direction of the pontifical family was entrusted to the *magister sacri hospitii Palatii Apostolici*, a layman, as the Cardinal Camerlengo had been dispensed from residing at court (cf. S. Fantoni Castrucci, *Istoria d'Avignone*, Avignon 1678, p. 163 ff.). To prevent the pontifical family from falling into lay hands, Martin V established the Prefecture of the Apostolic Palace, entrusting it to an ecclesiastic. However, under Urban VIII, the prefect would hold the title of Papal Majordomo, and at times the Prefect of the Apostolic Palaces and the Majordomo were distinct offices.

For the 15th century, a description of the pontifical family is found in the manuscript titled *Ministeria et officia domus pontificalis Pii II* from 1454, from which Marini extracted and published a list of personnel (cf. G. Marini, *Degli archiatri pontifici*, II, Rome 1825, p. 152 ff.). There were 63 first-class family members, each with their own attendants; those of the second class were far more numerous. Among the first class was a *cyprianus* (later secretary of the *Cifra*), though his presence at the papal court must date back much earlier.

The collection of papal registers, complete from Paul IV (1555) onward, gradually provides the status and progress of the pontifical family in the following centuries. Under the same pontiff, the pontifical family included: 10 prelates; 6 secretaries; 11 presidents of the Apostolic Chamber; the confessor; the master of the chamber; 5 superior chamberlains; 12 other chamberlains, each with two domestic servants; 24 other chamberlains belonging to the nobility, each with one servant; 5 chamber assistants; 7 physicians; 1 pharmacist; 1 grand baker; 24 chaplains; 2 sealers; 3 carving squires; 28 simple squires; various employees such as brokers, couriers, etc.; 50 grooms; 2 mace-bearers; 2 masters of the papal stables (*uscieri de virga rubae*); ushers; revisers of petitions; clockmakers; accountants; librarians; copyists for Latin, Greek, and Hebrew manuscripts, etc.; in total about 800 persons, which, along with other various employees, brought the number of members of the pontifical family to about a thousand. At least some of these accompanied the Pope even on his travels (cf. G. Moroni, *Dizionario di erudizione storico-ecclesiastica*, XCVII, pp. 279-84). They received board at court and were compensated in kind until Urban VIII, who partially replaced this with monetary payment, which Pius VI later made exclusive.

III. PRESENT STATE OF THE PONTIFICAL FAMILY

Privileges, rules, and traditions are mainly contained in the constitutions of: Pius IV *Circumspecta* of 12 April 1562; Gregory XV *Venerabilibus fratribus* of 23 March 1621; Alexander VIII *Venerabilibus fratribus* of 12 January 1690; Innocent XIII *Venerabilibus fratribus* of 26 May 1721; Benedict XIII *Circumspecta Romani* of 15 December 1724; the brief of Pius VI of 22 June 1775; his chirograph of 6 April 1775; the motu proprio of Pius VII of 3 May 1800; that of Leo XII of 23 November 1824; of Gregory XVI of 10 December 1832; of Pius X of 21 February 1903 (cf. *Bullarium Romanum*... Turin ed., VII [1862], pp. 110 ff.; XII [1867], pp. 509 ff.; XX [1870], pp. 231 ff.; XXII [1871], p. 120; *Bullarii Romani continuati*, VI [Prato 1847], pp. 106 ff., 35 ff.; VII [IV 1850], p. 9 ff.; VIII [IV 1854], p. 12 ff.; *Acta Gregorii XVI*, ed. A. M. Bernasconi, I [Rome 1901], pp. 203 ff.; *Pii X Acta*, II [IV 1907], p. 26 ff.; P. Gasparri, *Codices iuris canonici fontes*, III, Rome 1925, p. 633). The functions of the principal members of the *famiglia pontificia* are normally treated under their respective headings; here a general overview will be given, touching upon those figures who do not have their own dedicated treatment elsewhere.

**FAMIGLIA PONTIFICIA – Secret Chamberlains Participating**

1. The role of the *famiglia pontificia* begins with the cardinals palatine, who are the Pope’s first familiars: indeed, they (v. *Notizie di Roma*, a. 1724) are listed first under the title *famiglia pontificia*.

St Gregory III, in 735, seeing that the regional deacon cardinals had increased from seven to fourteen, added four more with the name of cardinals palatine; these were to assist the Pope when he celebrated in the Lateran and Vatican Basilicas and to sing the Gospel at the Lateran. The cardinals palatine then lost their original function and assumed the principal offices in the *famiglia pontificia*, which had previously been exercised by prelates. In the ancient lists of the Apostolic Palace, the cardinals palatine who were registered in the class of secret chamberlains participating were included.

The cardinals palatine appointed by each new pope, unless he confirmed those of his predecessor, often varied in number. Thus included were the datary, the Secretary of State, the Secretary for Internal Affairs, the Secretary for the Pontifical Briefs, as well as the cardinal-nephews. The papal auditor, if elevated to the purple while retaining the qualification of cardinal-protodeacon, was considered a palatine cardinal, as was the librarian, provided he resided in the Vatican. When Pius IX assigned the prelature of the Apostolic Palaces to a cardinal (on 1 November 1848 he conferred it upon Cardinal Antonelli), he created another cardinal palatine.

At present, there are two cardinals palatine: the Datary of His Holiness and the Secretary of State.

2. The most distinguished group of ecclesiastics and laymen now under consideration constitutes what is, in stately language, called the *nobile antica-mestra segreta* (the secret chamber of Our Lord the Pope). By this term are designated the primary and intimate ministers of the Pope who hold positions in the secret antechamber and in the other various and distinct antechambers of the Apostolic Palace.

This designation cannot be very ancient, since Lunadoro, in his *Relazione della Corte di Roma* (Rome 1664), makes no mention of them, and Zaccaria, in his *Ratio iuris studii Romani*, art. I (v. *Onomastico con rituale*, Faenza 1787), refers to the *camera segreta* of the Pope where he discusses the offices proper to the papal palace. In the *Diario di Roma*, first published in 1716, the term *camera segreta* is repeatedly used to denote the generality of persons attached to the immediate service of the Pope.

The first members of the secret antechamber also hold the title of palatine prelates, and the first three bear the title of *Eccellenza Reverendissima*: these are the Majordomo of His Holiness (*Praefectus Palatii Apostolici*), the Master of the Chamber (*Praefectus Cubiculi Secreti Pontificis*), who at present also exercises the functions of the Majordomo; the Auditor of His Holiness (*Auditor SS.ni D.ni Nostri Papae*), whose duties are now entrusted to the Secretary of the Apostolic Signatura; and the Master of the Apostolic Palace (*Magister S. Palatii Apostolici*).

The most important lay office in the *famiglia pontificia* is that of Grand Master of the Holy Hospice (*Magister S. Hospitii*), which, being held hereditarily by the Conti family, passed upon its extinction to the Ruspoli, who likewise hold it as a hereditary office. Benedict XV, by an apostolic letter of 28 May 1916 (*AAS*, 9 [1916], p. 72), separated the office of Master of the Holy Hospice from that of intimate cubicularius and from the number of chamberlains of sword and cape, of which he is the first, and constituted it into a distinct and singular order, to which he also granted the title of Grand Master. By decree of the Sacred Congregation of Ceremonies of 29 April 1886 (cf. A. Ruspoli, *Del maestro del S. Hospizio Apostolico*, Vignanello 1925, pp. 71–75), it pertains to the Grand Master to receive, assist, and serve royal personages or heads of state who come to an audience with the Supreme Pontiff with solemnity. He is the only layman of the noble court who has a place in the Papal Chapel, where, in the square formed by the benches reserved for the cardinals, he stands near the bench of the cardinal deacons. Having been entrusted with the custody of the said chapel and of the public costs that must be regulated *ad instar cappellae*, he also holds the title of *Custos S. Sacelli* (v. decision of the Sacred Congregation of Ceremonies of 30 May 1901). In their absence, the princes assisting the Throne act in their stead. Whenever he exercises his office in public, the Grand Master is accompanied by four Swiss Guards. He receives his appointment, made by the Supreme Pontiff, with the countersignature of the Secretary of State, after which the apostolic brief is sent to him.

3. The class of cubicularii (syncelli), ecclesiastics who bear the title of monsignor (the almoner) and secret, and the Secretary of the Cipher, also that of *Eccellenza Reverendissima*, now called secret chamberlains participating, begins with the Secret Almoner of His Holiness (v. SANTITÀ*), the Secretary for Briefs to Princes (*Pro litteris in forma brevi ad Principes Secretarius*; V. *SEGRETERIA DEI BREVI AI PRINCIPI*), the Secretary of the Cipher (*Notarum arcanarum S. P. Secretarius vulgo cifrarum Secretarius*; V. *SEGRETERIA DI STATO*), and the Secretary for Latin Letters (*Litterarum latinarum Scriba seu Secretarius*; V. *SEGRETERIA DELLE LETTERE LATINE*).

The secret chamberlains participating, serving directly in attendance upon the Pope, also took part in his table, whence their name. Some of them hold the three stable offices of cup-bearer (*pincerna*),

Secretary of Embassies (munitus) and Wardrobe (vestinius). The cup-bearer is responsible for assisting the Supreme Pontiff at solemn banquets and for offering him drinks; he holds the palm and the candle of the pope during functions; in the absence of the Master of the Chamber, he performs the latter’s duties and exercises all his functions. The Secretary of Embassies is charged with presenting the tributes and gifts that the pope customarily sent to sovereigns residing in Rome, to cardinals, and often also to ambassadors, at the time of their departure. The Wardrobe is entrusted with the custody of the Supreme Pontiff’s robes, for which purpose he now formally presents the red hat (galero) to newly created cardinals. A fourth secret chamberlain, who has no particular public function, is at the pope’s disposal. These secret chamberlains have sometimes served as secret treasurers at the papal court, receiving donations and private alms; some have been intimate secretaries (as, for example, during the pontificate of Pius XI), domestic librarians, and frequently have also acted as secret stewards. Their number varied according to the wishes of the popes. They serve in weekly rotation, and their office ceases with the death of the pope. The Sacristan (Praefectus Sacrarii Apostolici) and the Subdatary of His Holiness (v. DATARIA APOSTOLICA), when the office is filled, are also secret chamberlains *participantes*.

4. Next come other lay secret chamberlains *participantes*, who, by virtue of their dress, are called Secret Chamberlains of Sword and Cape *Participantes*. Each is distinguished by a special title, which, by ancient privilege, is hereditary in some of the foremost noble families of Rome (Massimo, Barberini, Sacchetti, Serlupi Crescenzi, etc.). Thus we have the Major Forester of the Apostolic Palaces (Ferrarius maior), the Major Equerry of His Holiness (v. Praefectus stabuli), the General Superintendent of Posts (Praefectus tabellariorum), the Bearers of the Golden Rose (v. ROSÁ D’ORO), and the Secretary of Embassies. Among these secret chamberlains are also counted the Exempt of the Noble Guards on duty and the Colonel of the Swiss Guard.

The General Superintendent of Posts was formerly called *Praepositus cursus publici*; under him throughout the Papal States were the mounted couriers, the extraordinary messengers, who oversaw the postal service for horse-changes; he accompanied the Supreme Pontiff on journeys, opened and closed the door of the papal carriage. He would go to meet sovereigns arriving in Rome as far as the borders of the State. The popes, beginning with Sixtus V, issued various constitutions to regulate his prerogatives. He was also entrusted with the supervision of the postal service under the Ministry of Finance, and his duties were defined in the *motu proprio* of Gregory XVI of 1840 (Acta Gregorii XVI, IV, Rome 1904, p. 373).

The Bearers of the Golden Rose are two Roman princes to whom the Supreme Pontiff entrusts the task of presenting the Golden Rose, a papal insignia of special devotion, to distinguished cathedrals and shrines, and as a token of esteem and paternal affection to Catholic sovereigns and their consorts, princes and princesses, distinguished captains, and other individuals who have rendered meritorious service to the Holy See, as well as to illustrious Catholic republics and cities. On 30 June 1948, Pius XII (AAS, 40 [1948], p. 345) established a new lay secret chamberlain of sword and cape *participans*, conferring upon him the office of Secretary of Embassies, while leaving the same title to his ecclesiastical secret chamberlain *participans* (munitus).

The Major Forester of the Apostolic Palaces (Ferrarius maior) is a palatine official who, with the rank of lay secret chamberlain of sword and cape *participans*, belongs to the papal nobility and is part of that secret chamber which precedes and follows the pope when he solemnly leaves his private apartments. The origin of this office, which under the name of *Florinus Pelati* is already found in a codex from the time of Alexander V (1409–10; cf. G. B. Gattico, *Acta selecta caeremoniale S.R.E.*, Rome 1752, p. 268), must almost certainly be placed between the end of the 14th and the beginning of the 15th century. This office was also held by an eminent figure of the present day and was enjoyed hereditarily by the family of the Marquises Sacchetti. The Major Forester, as head of the floreria, is responsible for the supervision of the buildings, water supply, and furnishings of the Palace. He also precedes the Supreme Pontiff on journeys, oversees these journeys, and prepares the lodgings and all necessary arrangements for both the pope and his entourage. At present, the Major Forester has an assistant who is from the same Sacchetti family. In the floreria he is aided by a regent of the floreria and by attendants. His duties are defined in the *motu proprio* and regulations that the Supreme Pontiffs issue to ensure the proper functioning of their household. At present, they are determined by the regulation of Leo XIII of 1882.

5. Next in the order of precedence of the papal household come the Domestic Prelates (Antistites Urbani; V. Prelati).

6. Then follow the Noble Guards of the Pope, of whom the Commander, the Lieutenants, and the Exempt are lay secret chamberlains of sword and cape *participantes*.

7. Also secret chamberlains, but ecclesiastics, are the members of the College of Masters of Papal Ceremonies. A document from the year 710 shows that at that time there existed officials under the name of *Ordinatores*; later they were called *Clerici caeremoniarum*. In 1563, by a brief of Pius IV dated 10 May, this name was changed, and they assumed their present title of *Magistri caeremoniarum apostolicarum*. In addition to regulating papal ceremonies, they assist the cardinals of the Sacred College for solemn functions and ceremonies, since the Prefect of Ceremonies assigns to each cardinal a papal master of ceremonies. They serve as notaries in the pontifical missions that accompany the cardinal legates of the pope. Famous are the diaries of papal ceremonies, of which there are nine masters of ceremonies: the first five are *ex numero*, the others supernumerary. Among the five, the Prefect or Antistes caeremoniarum, who is appointed by the Supreme Pontiff with a special brief, holds the rank of Domestic Prelate and Protonotary Apostolic *ad instar*; when assisting the pope, he always stands to his left. He regulates all movements during functions, oversees the actions of the masters of ceremonies, and advises the pope when necessary. In consistories, he orders those concerned to approach the papal throne, to withdraw from it, and to leave the consistory hall (*extra omnes*). The functions and consistories are announced by printed notices signed by the Prefect of Ceremonies. The extensive privileges of the Masters of Ceremonies (who also bear the title of Monsignor) were confirmed by Benedict XV in a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Ceremonies dated 27 June 1917. They do not cease with the death of the Supreme Pontiff; indeed, during the *Sede vacante*, they function as participating chamberlains.

8. The last class of ecclesiastical secret chamberlains is that of the supernumeraries, whose proper name is Secret Chamberlains of His Holiness *Supernumerarii* (Cubicularii intimiores seu secreti). Their institution is undoubtedly, as has been seen, very ancient; however, certain information about them only dates from the time of Urban VIII. From the pontificate of Pius VI, they served in the secret antechamber and in chapels and functions without remuneration. For service in the antechamber, they depend on the Master of the Chamber; for other functions, on Monsignor Majordomo. They are appointed by a note from the Secretariat of State and cease office at the death of the pope. They also bear the title of Monsignor.

9. There are also lay secret chamberlains, who take their name from their dress as secret chamberlains of sword and cape (*cubicularii ab esse et lacerna*), who are distinguished from the participating chamberlains already mentioned because the latter have their own offices and duties. Their institution dates back to the 16th century (1573) according to the *Manuel des dates* (Paris 1839, chamberlains); to 1592, according to F. Buonanni (s.V. in *Gerarchia ecclesiastica*, Rome 1742). They hold the office of true chamberlains both at Court and in the functions celebrated by the Supreme Pontiff. They are divided into numbered chamberlains, of which there are four (they are appointed for life by the Supreme Pontiff with a note from the Secretariat of State and serve even in all ceremonies held during sede vacante), and supernumerary chamberlains, who assist the four above in the antechamber and in other functions. All secret chamberlains of sword and cape must be nobles or at least distinguished by social position. Their church dress is the Spanish-style black, while for antechamber service they wear civil dress.

10. Next come the ecclesiastical and lay chamberlains of honor. a) First among them are the chamberlains of honor in purple dress, instituted in a recent but not precisely defined period (they were already numerous in the time of Benedict XIV, 1740–58). They are distinguished by the title of *cubicularii honoris* and serve in the antechamber of honor (the throne room). They accompany the Supreme Pontiff to St. Peter’s Basilica on the occasion of functions. They enjoy the title of monsignor and the same insignia and privileges as the secret chamberlains, though they rank below them in the order of precedence at Court. They cease upon the death of the Pope who appointed them. b) Then come the chamberlains of honor “extra urbem” (*cubicularii honoris extra urbem*), of recent institution, attributed to Pius VI. They have duties and privileges similar to the preceding, but their service is limited to residences “extra urbem,” so that wherever the Supreme Pontiff may find himself, he has his chamberlains of honor to serve him. Their office ceases upon the death of the Pope who conferred II. c) The last chamberlains of honor are laymen, who take their name from their dress as chamberlains of honor of sword and cape (*cubicularii honoris ab esse et lacerna*). Due to the devastation of the papal archives, their origin, though very ancient, is uncertain; certain information about them dates only from the time of Paul IV (1555). In their insignia, worn as a collar, they bear a different monogram from the secret chamberlains and rank lower at Court. They are also divided into numbered chamberlains of honor (four) and supernumerary. Previously, the numbered chamberlains were chosen by seniority of appointment, but now, like all others, they are appointed by sovereign grace. They serve in the antechamber of honor (the throne room) and in other functions according to the orders of their superiors (the majordomo and master of the chamber).

11. In the *familiares pontificii* (the papal household), among the chamberlains of honor already examined, the ranks of the chaplains are followed by the general staff and senior officers of the armed forces. The order of precedence among them is as follows: the general staff and senior officers of the Pontifical Swiss Guard; then those of the Palatine Guard of Honor; and finally those of the Pontifical Gendarmerie.

12. The chaplains, members of the *familiares pontificii*, appear from the 12th century among the Pope’s household. It should be noted that under this name there also originated, among others, the auditors of the Sacred Roman Rota, who are recognized as the Pope’s chaplains and perform their duties in the public chapels and solemn functions in which the Pope participates or celebrates. These chaplains, from the 16th–17th centuries onward, have consistently retained their current qualifications and prerogatives, being divided into secret chaplains (*cappellani segreti*) and ordinary chaplains (*cappellani communes*).

a) The secret chaplains perform services of particular trust and assist the Supreme Pontiff in functions. When the Pope celebrates Holy Mass in his private chapel, a chaplain immediately celebrates another in his stead (*suo gratiae actione*). The first secret chaplain is reserved the office of candidate, the second that of *cefere*, i.e., of carrying the cross before the Pope in public functions. There are also secret chaplains of honor (*cappellani segreti honoris*), instituted by Clement XIII, who form a separate class. They have the same status as the effective chaplains and intervene in the pontifical chapels and functions to replace them in case of need. They hold the title of monsignor. Pius appointed secret chaplains of honor “extra urbem” (*cappellani honoris extra urbem*). They hold the title of monsignor and the pontifical privileges only outside Rome. b) As mentioned, the ordinary chaplains form a college. Their existence is attested in the 16th–17th centuries with offices and prerogatives different from the current ones (see, for example, the constitution *Grata militaris* of Innocent X, issued on 18 January 1647; and the apostolic letter of Clement XII dated 18 May 1731 (*Bullarium Romanum*, ed. H. Mainardi – C. Cocquelines, Rome 1739–62, VI, p. 162; XIII, p. 255). They serve in the common chapel. They are appointed for life by a papal brief and thus remain in office during sede vacante. They are divided into participants and supernumeraries.

13. Before the college of ordinary chaplains in the *familiares pontificii* come the secret clerics, ecclesiastics attached to the private chapel of the Supreme Pontiff, who adorn his altar and prepare everything necessary for the celebration of the Pope’s Mass and the thanksgiving Mass. They are appointed by the majordomo and enjoy the qualities and favors of true *familiares*. They wear purple dress with a mantle. They cease upon the death of the Pope who appointed them.

14. The last members of the *familiares pontificii* are the preacher, the confessor, the physician, the aide-de-camp, and the secretary. The Apostolic Preacher (*Pontificia Aula Orator, Concionator Palatii Apostolici*), a Capuchin, was instituted by the bull *Inclytum Fratrum Minorum* of Benedict XIV on 2 March 1743. He preaches in the throne room on Wednesdays of Advent and all Fridays of Lent to the Supreme Pontiff, who listens from behind a grille; he also preaches to the Sacred College, to bishops, and to prelates of the Curia. The confessor of the household is a theologian, a professed religious of the Order of Servites, by a brief of Clement XIII dated 17 January 1762. At present, he exercises his office when the *familiares pontificii* gather in the Vatican to receive Holy Communion from the hands of the Pope. The physician of His Holiness was formerly designated with the particular title of architect or pontifical architect (q.v.). The aide-de-camp serves the August person of the Supreme Pontiff in his private chambers; he also belongs to the class of *cubicularii*. A famous aide-de-camp was Gaetano Moroni, author of the *Dizionario di erudizione storico-ecclesiastica* (Venice 1840–79). The secret secretary (*this office has been vacant since 1923*) oversaw the care of everything pertaining to the Pope’s domestic Mass, also serving at the Pope’s solemn banquets. At times, this office was combined with that of secret master of the papal household.

15. The *bussolanti*, so called from the word *bussola*, which since the 17th century has denoted the door of the palace halls, are other attendants of the papal antechamber, where they perform court duties. Gregory XVI in 1832 united them into a single class and distinguished them into participants and supernumeraries. The office of *bussolante* is for life. The last of the papal *familiares* is the hall dean (*magister palafrenaria*), head of the grooms and sedan-chair bearers (porters of the papal sedan chair), who serve in the first papal antechamber.