Papal household

The papal household or pontifical household (usually not capitalized in the media and other nonofficial use,[1] Latin: Pontificalis Domus), called until 1968 the Papal Court (Aula Pontificia),[2] consists of dignitaries who assist the pope in carrying out particular ceremonies of either a religious or a civil character.

It is organised into two bodies: the Papal Chapel (Cappella Pontificia), which assists the pope in his functions as the spiritual head of the church, especially in religious ceremonies; and the Papal Family or Household (Familia Pontificia), which assists him as head of a juridical body with civil functions.[3]

  1. ^ Who’s that with Pope Francis? The seven kinds of people you meet in a papal entourage, Washington Post
  2. ^ Motu proprio Pontificalis Domus, introductory paragraphs 5 and 6; Italian translation of the document
  3. ^ Pontificalis Domus, introductory paragraph 5 and section 4