MAESTRO DI CAMERA. – Prefect of the Papal Household (*Praefectus cubiculi Sanctitatis Suae*; in the Roman imperial court: *magister admissionum*), in Italian “Maestro di Camera of the Pope or of His Holiness,” or introducer. He is the second of the palatine prelates, after the majordomo, with whom he cooperates, according to their respective duties, to direct and enforce the ceremonial of the papal court, of audiences, and of the secret or ancient chamber. He is charged with introducing to the presence of the Pope those persons and others who are admitted.
He enjoys the title of *Eccellenza*, and in the 16th–19th centuries was often invested with the dignity of archbishop (cf. *Notizie di Roma per l’anno 1725*, Rome 1725, p. 231; *Notizie per l’a. 1766*, 1766, pp. 319 ff.). The office ceases with the death of the Pope. At the Lateran patriarchate, in the early development of the papal household, the functions of *Maestro di Camera* appear to have been delegated to the so-called *secundicarius* (v. VICARIUS). The under-*Maestro di Camera*, sometimes a member of the papal household, was called *proximus ab admissione*. The very appellation *Maestro di Camera* has not always been specific to the office to which it is now attached. Under Nicholas III (1277), for example, five *Maestri di Camera* are recorded, the last of whom was the *auditor camerae*. During the Avignon period the office took on substance, and from the 15th century onward the chronological series of *Maestri di Camera* is preserved (cf. under Pius IV: Th. R. V. Sickel, *Ein ruolo di famiglia des Papstes Pius IV.*, Innsbruck 1893, p. 35; for the complete list, G. Moroni, s.v., XLI, pp. 132–39). In the 17th century the expression “Maestro di Camera of Our Lord” was employed. He has considerable duties and prerogatives and replaces the major-domo when the latter is absent, while in turn he is replaced by the cup-bearer (v. FAMIGLIA PONTIFICIA). Among his other prerogatives is that of custodian of the papal seal (the *anulus piscatoris*): at the death of the Pope he delivers it to the cardinal camerlengo, who has it broken. This custom is attested from the time of Innocent X (1644–55).
He is assisted in the ceremonies of the antechamber and of audiences by the secret chamberlains (*cubicularii intimi seu secreti*).