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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.
  • 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:


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 usual 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.


SEE ALSO

  • Nuncio - an envoy with a mostly diplomatic mission, in the regular circuit of relations between states etcetera - usually a titular Archbishop .

  • Internuncio - a lower rank than Nuncio. Internuncios are also usually titular Archbishops , but they are emissaries to less important countries -

  • Vice-legate



SOURCES AND REFERENCES

Catholic Encyclopedia: Legate