Lot 2868

Description

Papal seal, envelope dated 7 July 1861, with five different location postmarks, with Papal State stamp, addressed 'A Sua, Eccellenza Rv. Mo II Sig. Cardinale Penitenziere Maggiore, Roma' (To His Excellency Most Reverend Mr. Cardinal Penitentiary Major, Rome), inside the papal seal impressed on paper and affixed. Hole where letter opened otherwise very fine.

The Penitentiary Major is the Cardinal who heads the Apostolic Penitentiary, one of the three tribunals of the Roman Curia. It is chiefly a tribunal of mercy and is responsible for the absolution of excommunications, the dispensation of sacramental impediments and the issuance of governance of indulgences. During a conclave the Penitentiary Major is the only Cardinal permitted to receive messages from his office and reply if required. He is also one of the few who retains his position outside Sede Vacante. Ex Mark Marshan Collection.