MAZZIERI PONTIFICI
The *Mazzierei Pontifici* (mazzieri Papae, servientes armorum) belong to the subordinate personnel of the papal household and are so called from the silver mace which they carry in ceremonies. Historically, the *mazzieri pontifici* had their statutes confirmed in 1437 by Eugenius IV. On 12 January 1617, these statutes were then updated in the form still observed today.
The *mazzieri pontifici*, currently numbering nine, are appointed by the Pope through the Monsignor Majordomo and form a college (with internal offices of dean and secretary) which takes part in functions celebrated or attended by the Pope or, in sede vacante, by the Sacred College, and is under the orders of the Masters of Ceremonies. In these functions, two *mazzieri pontifici* are always stationed at the entrance to the seating area or the presbytery of the chapel, guarding the door of the transenna (which they close during speeches delivered there), allowing no one to enter. Other *mazzieri pontifici* accompany, besides the Monsignor Sacristan, those persons who must wash the Pope’s hands. In processions and blessings, they hold the poles of the baldachin, handing them over and then receiving them back from the Prelate Referendaries of the Apostolic Signatura, who are to carry them. At the Pope’s public dinners, two of them accompany the scalco (carver) and two the papal cupbearer. They always carry the mace from which they take their name, raised and resting on the right shoulder, supported by the right hand; when carried lowered, they place it under the left arm.
The dress of the *mazzieri pontifici* consists of a black undergarment and black dress with black velvet trim, a purple overgarment with hanging false sleeves of twill or braided cloth, a lace collar, a sword at the side with a steel hilt, and buckled shoes. The mace is of silver, worked with ornaments, and bears at its summit the coat of arms of the Pope who appointed the individual *mazziere pontificio*.
