Papal legate

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A papal Legate, from the Decretals of Boniface VIII (1294 to 1303). British Museum, 23923.

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.

The term legation is applied both to a legate's mandate and to the territory concerned (such as a state, or an ecclesiastical province). The relevant adjective is legatine.

There are several ranks of papal legates, some existed in different times:

Apostolic legate

Contents

1 Legatus a Latere
2 Legatus Natus
3 Legatus Missus
4 Gubernatorial legates
5 See also
6 Sources and references

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.

Sources and references

[Catholic Encyclopedia: Legate]