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A Papal Legate -from the Latin, authentic Roman title Legatus- is a personal representative of the Pope to the nations, or rather to some part of the universal church. He is empowered on the matters of unity of the catholic faith and for the settlement of ecclesiastical matters. The legate is appointed directly by the Pope (the head of the universal Catholic church), hence a legate is usually sent to a government, a sovereign or to a large body of believers (such as a national church) or to take charge of a major religious effort, such as a crusade to the Holy Land, or even against a heresy such as the Cathars). The authority of the Pope to appoint and choose the legates has been contested several times in history. There are several ranks of papal legates, some existed in different times:
Legatus a Latere This highest rank (literally 'from the (Pope's) side', i.e. 'intimately' trusted) - has to be awarded to a cardinal, a Prince of the Church -is exceptional and usually very brief. Legatus Natus Literally 'born legate', i.e. not nominated individually but ex officio, notably a bishop holding the rank as a privilege of his see. Legatus Missus Literally 'send Legate', refers by contrast to a specific task ('mission') Gubernatorial legates Some administrative (temporal) provinces of the Papal states in central Italy were governed by a papal legate. In four cases, including Bologna, this post was awarded to Cardinals; the Velletri post was created for Bartolommeo Cardinal Pacca. See also | ||||||||
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