Chaplain of His Holiness
Chaplain of His Holiness is a title of distinction given by the Pope in recognition of a priest’s service to the Church. They are addressed with the honorific of "Monsignor" and have certain privileges with respect to ecclesiastical dress and vestments. In 2013, Pope Francis amended common practice to require that all such priests be at least 65 years of age.[1]
History
The role of "Chaplain of His Holiness" dates to the 17th century when Pope Urban VIII instituted the role as an official function of the papal household.[2] Such Chaplains have provided unpaid service since the pontificate of Pope Pius VI.
The nomination of candidates extra urbem may be granted at the request of their bishop through the
Those priests who had been called "Supernumerary Privy Chamberlains" continued to be part of the
The following are chaplains of His Holiness as long as they are in office:
- The canons of the cathedrals of Lodi and Syracuse,
- The canons of the chapter of Saints Celse and Julian in Rome,
- The magistral chaplains of the Sovereign Order of Malta, SMOM,
- The clerics of the papal chapel,
- The canonical coadjutors of the great papal basilicas.
In 1969, the custom of Chaplains of His Holiness surrendering the title upon the death and burial of the conferring pontiff was suppressed. Today, all monsignors retain their titles upon the death and burial of a Pope.[5]
Under new rules set by Pope Francis, fewer diocesan priests are named monsignor than in the past, and only those 65 years or older may be named.[6]
See also
- Honorary prelate
- Protonotary apostolic
References
- ^ "Pope Francis Names Priest Chaplain to His Holiness", Diocese of Manchester (New Hampshire), November 17, 2022
- ^ Tinner-Williams, Nate. "Pope Francis names La. Black Catholic priest a monsignor", Black Catholic Messenger, December 9, 2022
- ^ a b Annuario Pontificio 2012, p. 1853
- ^ Pope Paul VI, "Pontificalis Domus", Dicastero per la Comunicazione, Intro., March 28, 1968
- ^ a b Nguyen, Benedict T., "Background on the Papal Honor Bearing the title 'Monsignor'", Diocese of La Crosse
- ^ Gambino, Matthew. "Nine Philadelphia priests to be named monsignors", Catholic Philly, November 7, 2017