MAZZIERI PONTIFICI. – The m. p. (mazzerii Papae, servientes armorum) belong to the subordinate personnel of the papal household and are so called from the silver mace that they carry during ceremonies. Historically, the m. p. had their statutes confirmed in 1437 by Eugenio IV. On 12 January 1617, they were then revised in the form in which they are still observed today.
The m. p., currently numbering nine, are appointed by the pontiff through the major-domo and form a college—with the internal offices of dean and secretary—which attends ceremonies at which the pope celebrates or is present, or at which, during a vacancy of the see, the Sacred College is present; it is subject to the orders of the masters of ceremonies. During these ceremonies, two m. p. always stand at the entrance to the enclosure of the benches or of the chapel presbytery, guarding the door of the screen—which they close during the speeches delivered there—and allowing no one to enter. Other m. p., in addition to accompanying the sacristan monsignor, also accompany those persons who are to wash the pontiff’s hands. In processions and blessings they hold the poles of the baldachin, handing them to and then receiving them from the referendary prelates of the Apostolic Signatura who are required to carry them. At the pope’s public meals, two of them accompany the carver and two the papal cupbearer. They always carry the mace from which they derive their name raised and resting on the right shoulder, supporting it with the right hand; when carrying it lowered, they place it under the left arm.
The dress of the m. p. consists of a black undergarment and coat with black velvet edging, a purple soprana with false hanging sleeves of serge or cloth trimmed as above, a lace collar, a sword at the side with a steel hilt, and buckles on the shoes. The mace is silver, ornamented with decorative designs, and bears at the top the coat of arms of the pontiff who appointed the individual m. p.