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Grand Master of the Sacred Apostolic Hospice

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Alessandro Ruspoli, VII Prince of Cerveteri. Grand Master of the Sacred Apostolic Hospice.

The Grand Master of the Sacred Apostolic Hospice (Italian: Gran Maestro del Sacro Ospizio) or Quartermaster-General of the Sacred Palaces is a hereditary official of the Pontifical Household. This post is the highest ranking post available to laymen.[1] The title and office became hereditary on June 28, 1808, when Pope Pius VII appointed Prince Francesco Ruspoli as Grand Master.[2]

The Grand Master is a Participating Privy Chamberlain and the sole lay member of the Noble Privy Antechamber, as well as a Participating Privy Chamberlain of the Sword and Cape (made up of laymen, traditionally holding hereditary posts).[citation needed]

From 1808 with Francesco Ruspoli, 3rd prince of Cerveteri, the Ruspoli family assumed the office of Grand Master of the Sacred Hospice and succeeded in the Conti family.[3]

Title holders

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Grand Master of the Sacred Apostolic Hospice Period
Created by Pope Pius VII
Francesco Ruspoli, 3rd Prince of Cerveteri[4] 1808-1829
Alessandro Ruspoli, 4th Prince of Cerveteri[4] 1829-1842
Giovanni Nepomucene Ruspoli, 5th Prince of Cerveteri[4] 1842-1876
Francesco Maria Ruspoli, 6th Prince of Cerveteri 1876-1907
Alessandro Ruspoli, 7th Prince of Cerveteri[4] 1907-1942
Francesco Ruspoli, 8th Prince of Cerveteri[3] 1942-1989

The reform of the Papal Curia abolished the post in 1968, keeping the title purely honorary.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Google Books website, Origins of Catholic Words: A Discursive Dictionary, by Anthony Lo Bello, page 305
  2. ^ Brooke, Douglas (1911) The Secrets of the Vatican. J.B. Lippincott.
  3. ^ a b Liturgical Arts Journal website, The Papal Court (Aula Pontificia), article by John Paul Sonnen dated May 8, 2020
  4. ^ a b c d Castello Ruspoli website, The Family
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