Roman Curia & Papal Household
Curia Romana - Corpo Diplomatico - Commissioni Pontificie - Cappella E Famiglia Pontificie - Uffici E Amministrazioni Palatine - Ordini Equestri - Tribunali · 97 articles · Principal contributors · All subjects-
Abbreviator (ABBREVIATORE)
ABBREVIATOR. - He was an official of the Apostolic Chancery, to whom the task was entrusted of drafting the minute (notam facere) of… -
Administration of the Property of the Holy See (AMMINISTRAZIONE DEI BENI DELLA S. SEDE)
ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOODS OF THE HOLY SEE. - After Sept. 20, 1870, the patrimony of the Holy See was reduced almost exclusively to the… -
Agents at the Sacred Congregations (AGENTI PRESSO LE SACRE CONGREGAZIONI)
AGENTS AT THE SACRED CONGREGATIONS. - In the past, the procuratori ospedizionieri (forwarding agents) held notable importance, representing… -
Apocrisiary (APOCRISARIO)
APOCRISIARY. - From the Greek ἀποκρίνο, "I answer," Latin responsalis, but also apocrisarius and apocrisarius, in the late empire it was an… -
Apostolic Almonry (ELEMOSINERIA APOSTOLICA)
APOSTOLIC ALMONRY. - It is the palatine office that regulates the granting of pontifical subsidies and of rescripts of the Apostolic… -
Apostolic Camera (CAMERA APOSTOLICA)
APOSTOLIC CAMERA. - By the word C. A., which with the beginning of the 11th century prevailed over the other similar terms fiscus,… -
Apostolic Dataria (DATARIA APOSTOLICA)
APOSTOLIC DATARIA. - It is one of the offices of the Roman Curia. The name derives from datare (datum apud S. Petrum), since it was its… -
Apostolic Internuncio (INTERNUNZIO APOSTOLICO)
APOSTOLIC INTERNUNCIO. - The term internuntius is used in the briefs of Leo X to designate an envoy who exercises the office of ambassador… -
Apostolic Nunciature (NUNZIATURA APOSTOLICA)
APOSTOLIC NUNCIATURE. - The right of legation (v.) active and passive, that is, to send and receive diplomatic representatives, derives to… -
Apostolic Nuncio (NUNZIO APOSTOLICO)
APOSTOLIC NUNCIO. - According to the modern concept, he is a titular archbishop who is sent by the Pontiff as his representative, with a… -
Apostolic Preacher (PREDICATORE APOSTOLICO)
APOSTOLIC PREACHER. - He is the orator chosen by the Supreme Pontiff to preach on appointed days before him, the cardinals, bishops,… -
Apostolic Protonotaries (PROTONOTARI APOSTOLICI)
APOSTOLIC PROTONOTARIES. - The title of protonotary is found for the first time in the 14th century (Ordo romanus XIV, ch. 70; cf. also P.… -
Archivist of the Holy Roman Church (ARCHIVISTA DI SANTA ROMANA CHIESA)
ARCHIVIST OF THE HOLY ROMAN CHURCH. - The high direction of the Vatican Secret Archives, of which the Supreme Pontiff "retains, together… -
Assistant to Study (AIUTANTE DI STUDIO)
ASSISTANT TO STUDY. - He is a clerical employee of the Sacred Congregations and offices of the Holy See and represents the highest grade of… -
Assistant to the Papal Throne (ASSISTENTE AL SOGLIO)
ASSISTANT TO THE PAPAL THRONE. - It is a high honor, instituted in the 16th century, which is granted to ecclesiastical and secular… -
Auditor of His Holiness (UDITORE DI SUA SANTITÀ)
AUDITOR OF HIS HOLINESS. - The Auditor of H.H. (Auditor S.mi Domini Nostri Papae, whence the false translation "Most Holy Auditor," iudex… -
Auditor of the Rota (UDITORE DI ROTA)
AUDITOR OF THE ROTA. - I. In the ancient law of the Church, auditor was considered to be the person to whom the instruction of a case was… -
Benedictine Fasces (FASCE BENEDETTE)
BENEDICTINE FASCES. - This is the name given to the swaddling clothes for infants that the popes were accustomed to send to the newborn… -
Benemerenti
BENEMERENTI. - It is the title of the medal instituted by the Supreme Pontiffs, from Pius VII onward, for those who by distinguished deeds… -
Cardinal (CARDINALE)
CARDINAL. - Cardinals are the highest collaborators and counselors of the pope in the government of the universal Church. The body of… -
Cardinal’s Plate (PIATTO CARDINALIZIO)
CARDINAL’S PLATE. - It is an annual allowance that the pope grants to cardinals, resident in Rome or employed elsewhere in the service of… -
Caudatario
CAUDATARIO. - I. THE POPE'S C. - This c. or train-bearer must always support the hem of the pontifical cassock. He is appointed by a note… -
Cavallerizzo Maggiore of His Holiness (CAVALLERIZZO MAGGIORE DI SUA SANTITÀ)
CAVALLERIZZO MAGGIORE OF HIS HOLINESS. - He belongs to the pontifical household, as the second of the participating secret chamberlains of… -
Commendatore di Santo Spirito
COMMENDATORE DI SANTO SPIRITO. - It is the title of a prelature instituted by Leo X on 15 Dec. 1515 for the rector of S. Spirito, who… -
Commissioner (COMMISSARIO)
COMMISSIONER. - This name designates one of the senior officials of the Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office, who, assisted by two… -
Concistorial Option (OPZIONE CONCISTORIALE)
CONCISTORIAL OPTION. - The concistorial option is a request that cardinals may make in consistory, that is, before the Holy Father and… -
Concistoro
CONSISTORY. - The consistory consists in a solemn assembly of all the cardinals who are in Rome, presided over by the pope, for the… -
Conclave
CONCLAVE.- In ecclesiastical language, c. indicates the place where the cardinals assemble, after the death of the pope, in a kind of… -
Consultors of the Sacred Congregations (CONSULTORI DELLE SACRE CONGREGAZIONI)
CONSULTORS OF THE SACRED CONGREGATIONS. - Each Sacred Congregation, for the study of questions of greater importance, has a body of… -
Count Palatine (Of the Sacred Palace) (CONTE PALATINO (DEL SACRO PALAZZO))
COUNT PALATINE (OF THE SACRED PALACE). - An honorary title with which popes, emperors and sovereigns honored meritorious persons. This… -
Credentials, Letters of (CREDENZIALI, LETTERE)
CREDENTIALS, LETTERS OF. - This is the proper name of the formal act by which a State establishes its own diplomatic agent (v.) with… -
Delegate Apostolic (DELEGATO APOSTOLICO)
DELEGATE APOSTOLIC. - According to the currently accepted concept, the a. d. is a prelate, a titular archbishop, who is sent by the Roman… -
Dilata
DILATA. - It is the formula of reply in use at the Holy Congregations (v. CONGREGAZIONI PONTIFICI), when to a recourse or petition or to a… -
Diplomatic Agent (AGENTE DIPLOMATICO)
DIPLOMATIC AGENT. - Organ of political relations between States, charged with representing the sending State, temporarily or permanently,… -
Diplomatic Corps (CORPO DIPLOMATICO)
DIPLOMATIC CORPS. - It consists of the body of diplomatic agents permanently accredited to a given State, who are usually considered… -
Diplomatic Couriers (CORRIERI DIPLOMATICI)
DIPLOMATIC COURIERS. - These are those who carry out the transport of the official correspondence of diplomatic agents (v.). By virtue of… -
Diplomatic Immunities (IMMUNITÀ DIPLOMATICHE)
DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITIES. - Customary rules of general international law impose on States a series of obligations, the content of which takes… -
Ecclesiastical Tribunals (TRIBUNALI ECCLESIASTICI)
ECCLESIASTICAL TRIBUNALS. - These are the organs to which is normally entrusted the exercise of jurisdictional power in the strict sense,… -
Economate of Ecclesiastical Dicasteries (ECONOMATO DEI DICASTERI ECCLESIASTICI)
ECONOMATE OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL TRIBUNALS. - It was instituted by Pius X (circular of the Secretariat of State, 3 April 1909) as the… -
Floreria Apostolica
FLORERIA APOSTOLICA. - The f. a. is the papal wardrobe, where the regent, a palatine official dependent on the foriere maggiore of the Holy… -
Golden Rose (ROSA D'ORO)
GOLDEN ROSE. - It is a symbolic gift that the pontiffs are accustomed to send, as a sign of particular esteem and benevolence, only to… -
Holy Door (PORTA SANTA)
HOLY DOOR. - A walled-up door found in Rome, in the patriarchal basilicas of St. Peter's in the Vatican, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside… -
Letter of Appointment (BIGLIETTO DI NOMINA)
LETTER OF APPOINTMENT. - According to the language of the Curia, this term means that brief missive, written in the name of the Pope, by… -
Librarian of the Holy Roman Church (BIBLIOTECARIO DI SANTA ROMANA CHIESA)
LIBRARIAN OF THE HOLY ROMAN CHURCH. - Currently it is the title of the Cardinal to whom the high direction of the Vatican Library is… -
Maestro del Sacro Palazzo
MAESTRO DEL SACRO PALAZZO. - Title of a dignitary of the Pontifical Court, whose duties have undergone various changes. Only modern studies… -
Maestro di Camera
MAESTRO DI CAMERA. - Praefectus cubiculi Sanctitatis Suae (at the Roman imperial court: magister admissionum), in Italian "m. di c. of the… -
Maestro di Casa
MAESTRO DI CASA. - He is one of the dignitaries of the pontifical household, to whom is entrusted, or at least was, the governance of the… -
Majordomo of His Holiness (MAGGIORDOMO DI SUA SANTITÀ)
MAJORDOMO OF HIS HOLINESS. - He is the first of the palatine prelates and supervises the Apostolic Palaces. It was Alexander V (1410) who… -
Mantellone
MANTELLONE. - The M. (Magnus mantellus, "great mantle") is a full-length choir overgarment reaching to the ground, sleeveless, entirely… -
Manto Papale
PAPAL MANTLE. - A sacred vestment, very full and with a train, also called pluvial or cappa pontificalis. It is similar to the cope, but… -
Mazzieri Pontifici
MAZZIERI PONTIFICI. - The m. p. (mazzerii Papae, servientes armorum) belong to the subordinate personnel of the papal household and are so… -
Minister Of The Papal Chapel (MINISTRO DELLA CAPPELLA PONTIFICIA)
MINISTER OF THE PONTIFICAL CHAPEL. - He is more properly called assistant minister at the sacred functions (v. Ann. Pont., 1951, p. 912).… -
Novendiales (NOVENDIALI)
NOVENDIALES. - These are the obsequies of the supreme pontiffs, celebrated over nine days in the Vatican Basilica by the Sacred College and… -
Palatine Guard of Honor (GUARDIA PALATINA D'ONORE)
PALATINE GUARD OF HONOR. - It is one of the corps of the pontifical armed forces, an expression of the tribute of fidelity of the Roman… -
Papal Ante-Chamber (ANTICAMERA PONTIFICIA)
PAPAL ANTE-CHAMBER. - L'A. P. - or rather, as it is read in the Annuario Pontificio, the Noble Secret A. - comprises all those offices… -
Papal Cavalcade (CAVALCATA PAPALE)
PAPAL CAVALCADE. - This was the general name for the cavalcade that accompanied the Pope when he moved from his ordinary residence to go to… -
Papal Chapel (CAPPELLA PAPALE)
PAPAL CHAPEL. - This name designates those solemn sacred functions: vespers, matins, pontifical Masses and other sacred ceremonies that are… -
Papal Court (CORTE PONTIFICIA)
PAPAL COURT. - A name introduced in the 12th century, since previously there existed no distinctions between: the Pontifical Court, the… -
Papal Diplomacy (DIPLOMAZIA PONTIFICIA)
PAPAL DIPLOMACY: V. VATICANA DIPLOMAZIA. -
Papal Sediarists (SEDIARI PONTIFICI)
PAPAL SEDIARISTS. - They are familiars of the Pope who perform service in the hall and for the transport of the Holy Father in the sedia… -
Petriano, Museo
PETRIANO, MUSEUM. - It was a special building where for some time the principal sacred and profane monuments were suitably arranged, saved… -
Piombatore della Cancelleria Apostolica
LEADWORKER OF THE APOSTOLIC CHANCERY. - Among the Chancery personnel assigned to the drafting and dispatch of papal bulls or to the… -
Ponens (Ponente) (PONENTE (PONENS))
PONENS (Ponente). - A designation given particularly to prelates charged with reporting on causes or matters heard before the tribunals or… -
Pontifical Archiatra (Archiatros) (ARCHIATRA (ARCHIATRO) PONTIFICIO)
PONTIFICAL ARCHIATRA (ARCHIATROS). - He is the private or secret physician of the Pope. The absence of any reference to this designation in… -
Pontifical Chapel (CAPPELLA PONTIFICIA)
PONTIFICAL CHAPEL. - This name is customarily used to designate collectively the dignitaries who ordinarily take part in the solemn sacred… -
Pontifical Commissions (COMMISSIONI PONTIFICE)
PONTIFICAL COMMISSIONS. - From the name itself it is understood that through them the Supreme Pontiff entrusts to certain expert persons… -
Pontifical Equestrian Orders (ORDINI EQUESTRI PONTIFICI)
PONTIFICAL EQUESTRIAN ORDERS. - These are the corporations instituted by the Roman pontiffs in order to reward persons of merit for… -
Pontifical Family (FAMIGLIA PONTIFICIA)
PONTIFICAL FAMILY. - It is, in a broad sense, the household of the Roman Pontiff, as head of the whole Church and for that very reason… -
Pontifical Gendarmerie (GENDARMERIA PONTIFICIA)
PONTIFICAL GENDARMERIE. - It is one of the corps of the pontifical armed forces. The institution of the p. g., through the corps of… -
Pontifical Noble Guard (GUARDIA NOBILE PONTIFICIA)
PONTIFICAL NOBLE GUARD. - It is the first, in order of dignity, of the pontifical armed corps. The P. N. G. was instituted by Pius VII with… -
Pontifical Swiss Guard (GUARDIA SVIZZERA PONTIFICIA)
PONTIFICAL SWISS GUARD. - It is a corps of Swiss soldiers, in service in Vatican City (Cohors pedestris Helvetiorum a sacra custodia… -
Pontifical Yearbook (ANNUARIO PONTIFICIO)
PONTIFICAL YEARBOOK. - Official directory of the Catholic ecclesiastical hierarchy, of the Roman Curia and the pontifical court, compiled… -
President of the Tribunal (PRESIDENTE DEL TRIBUNALE)
PRESIDENT OF THE TRIBUNAL. - He is the magistrate placed at the head of a collegiate tribunal; to him belongs the direction of the… -
Primicerius and Secundicerius (PRIMICERIO E SECUNDICERIO)
PRIMICERIUS AND SECUNDICERIUS. - P. (qui primus cerae seu matriculae erat inscriptus), was originally the one who held the highest office… -
Procurators of the Sacred Apostolic Palaces (Sacri Palatii Apostolicis Causarum et Collegio Patronorum or Decurial Patrons of the Sacred Palace) (PROCURATORI DEI SACRI PALAZZI APOSTOLICI (SACRI PALATII APOSTOLICI CAUSARUM E COLLEGIO PATRONI O PATRONI DECURIALES SACRI PALATII))
PROCURATORS OF THE SACRED APOSTOLIC PALACES (Sacri Palatii Apostolici causarum and College of patrons or Patroni decuriales Sacri Palatii).… -
Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice
PRO ECCLESIA ET PONTIFICE. - Decoration (cross) instituted by Leo XIII with the apostolic letter Quod singulari Dei concessi of 17 July… -
Regent (REGGENTE)
REGENT. - In the Roman Curia this title is held by the prelate who is the superior of the Apostolic Penitentiary (v. TRIBUNALI… -
Regulae Cancellariae Apostolicae
REGULAE CANCELLARIAE APOSTOLICAE. - They were a body of norms given or confirmed by each pontiff to the Apostolic Chancery (v.) and… -
Relator General (RELATORE GENERALE)
RELATOR GENERAL. - Title of one of the official prelates of the Sacred Congregation of Rites (v.). He presides over the historical section,… -
Sacred Art, Pontifical Central Commission For (ARTE SACRA, PONTIFICIA COMMISSIONE CENTRALE PER L')
SACRED ART, PONTIFICAL CENTRAL COMMISSION FOR. - In Italy it supervises the conservation and enhancement of the Church's artistic heritage… -
Sacred Roman Congregations (CONGREGAZIONI ROMANE, SACRE)
SACRED ROMAN CONGREGATIONS. - Permanent commissions of cardinals for the handling of the affairs of the Church. SUMMARY: I. The C. in… -
Sacristan (Prefect of the Apostolic Sacristy) (SACRISTA (PRAEFECTUS SACRARIL APOSTOLICI))
SACRISTAN (Prefect of the Apostolic Sacristy). - He is a titular bishop (by tradition of Porfirione) who has charge of the Apostolic… -
Scriniarii
SCRINIARII. - From the Latin scrinium (= chest), which properly indicated a cabinet where precious objects and documents were kept, and… -
Secret Almoner of His Holiness (ELEMOSINIERE SEGRETO DI SUA SANTITÀ)
SECRET ALMONER OF HIS HOLINESS. - The s. a. of His Holiness is a palatine prelate and the first among the ecclesiastical secret… -
Secretariat of Briefs to Princes (SEGRETERIA DEI BREVI AI PRINCIPI)
SECRETARIAT OF BRIEFS TO PRINCES. - It is the first Latin Secretariat of the Roman Curia. Its name derives from one of the tasks entrusted… -
Secretariat of Latin Letters (SEGRETERIA DELLE LETTERE LATINE)
SECRETARIAT OF LATIN LETTERS. - It is an office of the Roman Curia, standing on its own, collateral to the Secretariat of State, under the… -
Secretariat of State (SEGRETERIA DI STATO)
SECRETARIAT OF STATE. - It is one of the offices of the Roman Curia, through which the Holy See handles all questions of ecclesiastical… -
Special Administration of the Holy See (AMMINISTRAZIONE SPECIALE DELLA S. SEDE)
SPECIAL ADMINISTRATION OF THE HOLY SEE. - It is an office, with its seat in Vatican City, established by the Supreme Pontiff Pius XI with a… -
Stilus Et Praxis Curiae
STILUS et PRAXIS CURIAE. - These are two canonical juridical institutions, which differ very little from one another and are relevant in… -
Stocco E Berrettone
STOCCO E BERRETTONE. - The sword is a kind of sword, richly adorned with gold on the hilt, with scabbard and belt, which the Roman pontiffs… -
Substitute (SOSTITUTO)
SUBSTITUTE. - A substitute (substitutus, subrogatus, vicarius) is one who takes the place of another. In the offices of the Roman Curia… -
Tasse di Curia
TASSE DI CURIA. - These are the contributions that the Dicasteries of the Holy See require from petitioners or parties, in order to cover,… -
Terminology of the Sacred Congregations and Tribunals of the Roman Curia (TERMINOLOGIA DELLE SACRE CONGREGAZIONI E TRIBUNALI DELLA CURIA ROMANA)
TERMINOLOGY OF THE SACRED CONGREGATIONS AND TRIBUNALS OF THE ROMAN CURIA. - In the Sacred Congregations and Tribunals of the Roman Curia… -
Udienze, Tabella delle (TABELLA, UDIENZE DI)
UDIENZE, Tabella delle. - This is the name given to those audiences which, according to a fixed rotation, are granted to the cardinals or… -
Vatican Archive (ARCHIVIO VATICANO)
VATICAN ARCHIVE: V. VATICANO, ARCHIVIO. -
Vestarius (Vesterarius, Vastarius) (VESTARARIUS (VESTERARIUS, VASTARARIUS))
VESTARIUS (VESTERARIUS, VASTARIUS). - He was the custodian of the treasury or of the wardrobe of high ecclesiastical or lay dignitaries, or… -
Visits of Heat (VISITE DI CALORE)
VISITS OF HEAT. - This is the name given to the visits that the newly elected cardinal, immediately after receiving from the Cardinal…