The Papal Court before the Reforms of 1969
The Papal Court was a long-standing extension of the role of the Roman Pontiff as both supreme head of the Catholic Church and the sovereign of the Papal States. The various offices were hereditary and held by old and illustrious Roman families. The role, composition, and status of the Papal Court was drastically changed in 1969 with the bull Pontificalis Domus. This bull effectively removed the role of the old nobility at the Papal Court.
The following are the hereditary offices of the Papal Court
Principal Officers
Hereditary
Prince Assistants to the Papal Throne
The
Princes Torlonia and the Princes Colonna
Marshal of
the Holy Roman Church and Sacred Conclave
The
Princes Chigi-Albani della Rovere
Grand
Master of the Sacred Apostolic Hospice
Prince
Alessandro Ruspoli, Prince of Cerveteri
Hereditary
Quartermaster General
The
Marquesses of Castel Romano
Hereditary
Superintendant of the Stables of the Palaces
The
Marquesses Crescenzi
Hereditary
Superintendant of the Posts
The
Princes di Arsoli
Keeper(s)
of the Golden Rose
Intended
for Members of Royal Houses - not hereditary
The Papal Guards
Captain
Commander of the Noble Guard
Not an
hereditary office - always a Roman Prince with the rank of Lieutenant General
Hereditary
Standard Bearer of the Holy Roman Church
Holds
the rank of Lieutenant General
Commandant
of the Palatine Guard
Not an
hereditary office
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