palatine prelate
palatine prelate
Title of the highest prelates lof the pope’s personal suite. They have the right of residence in the papal palace and are four in number:
majordomo
maestrodi camera
auditor to the pope
master of the sacred palace
The office of auditor was discontinued as unnecessary by Pope Pius X. Previously the auditor advised the pope in consistorial and theological matters; later he had judicial power in civil and criminal cases, but since 1831 his duties had been severely restricted. Pope Benedict XV re-established the office in connection with the Apostolic Signatura.