In the splendid setting of the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo, which for centuries was used by the popes as a summer residence (to escape the heat and chaos of Rome but also, in the past, to avoid falling ill with malaria), there are many surprises and curiosities. The architectural setting itself further highlights a historic building, not only for the one who, in all respects, is the master of the house. Your tour guide in Rome, for example, recommends you take a stroll around Castel Gandolfo, to enjoy an area untouched by mass tourism, to enjoy the lake and good food, and to dive into the history of the papal court, which had nothing to envy from other royal courts in Europe.

For example, in one of the main halls, a copy of the papal throne has been set up, complete with mannequins representing members of the Pontifical Curia. Or rather, like all rulers of the past, the popes also had, especially during processions, a series of men who had to take care of their security or perform other tasks. For example, here in the photo, you see the so-called mace-bearer. Probably established around the 12th century, the college of servientes armorum (later called sergentes armorum and then papal mace-bearers) was one of the many offices or corps that made up the papal court and gained greater importance from the 16th century, beginning its decline in the second half of the 19th century. In fact, the last real pontiff to use the services of the court mace-bearer was Pius IX, the last pope to reign with full powers over Rome, until the capture of the city by King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy in 1870. The figure of the papal mace-bearer was officially abolished by Paul VI in 1968, during his profound reforms within the Catholic Church. But what was the true function of the mace-bearer? As you can guess, the name derives from this sort of mace which could have various functions. More than for defense or attack (the military and personal protection of the pontiff was entrusted to real armed guards) this sort of weapon served another purpose. The mace, similar to a ferula, opened and led processions and, inside the Church, was used to oversee the composure of the assembly. In a certain sense, the mace-bearer brought order and tried in every way to make sure everything went right. The mace-bearer arranged the faithful in an orderly manner, found seats for the elderly and mothers with small children, assisted those in need of help, supervised the offertory collection, regulated the flow of the faithful to Holy Communion, and signaled to the assembly, by striking the mace on the floor, the appropriate postures for the different moments of the Holy Mass (standing, kneeling, sitting). As you can see, he was a sort of conductor to whom everyone had to refer, especially when it came to managing the proper conduct of a mass in which the pontiff was also present. 

It may seem like a minor thing, but try to imagine how many people used to attend, in the past, the great religious events in which the pope was present. In a context where, it is worth remembering, the pontiff was also a ruler, having all political powers in his own hands. Even a court mace-bearer had his work cut out for him, I am sure. Interesting, isn't it?