Papal household

The papal household or pontifical household (usually not capitalized in the media and other nonofficial use, Latin: Pontificalis Domus), called until 1968 the Papal Court (Aula Pontificia), 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.

The Papal Household is a section of the Roman Curia. The Prefecture of the Papal Household is the office in charge of the Papal Household.

The Papal Chapel consists of ecclesiastics who participate in religious ceremonies wearing their liturgical vestments or the dress proper to their rank and office.

Historically, chanted divine service was held daily in the papal palace, with the Pope in person celebrating or assisting at Pontifical Mass on certain days. After the return of the popes from Avignon, these solemn public functions were held in the Sistine Chapel or, on days of special solemnity, in Saint Peter's Basilica. The liturgical celebration ceased to be daily in the course of the nineteenth century. The motu proprio Pontificalis Domus of 1968 abolished some of the titles borne by various groups that had membership in the Papal Chapel. At present its membership consists of the ecclesiastical members of the Papal Family in the narrow sense (Familia Pontificalis, not Domus Pontificalis) and in addition:

The members of this body are subdivided into two groups: ecclesiastic and lay.

The ecclesiastics who have membership are:

The lay members are: