The Grand Master of the Sacred Apostolic Hospice () 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.Google Books website, Origins of Catholic Words: A Discursive Dictionary, by Anthony Lo Bello, page 305 The title and office became hereditary on June 28, 1808, when Pope Pius VII appointed Prince Francesco Ruspoli as Grand Master.Brooke, Douglas (1911) The Secrets of the Vatican. J.B. Lippincott.
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).
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.Liturgical Arts Journal website, The Papal Court (Aula Pontificia), article by John Paul Sonnen dated May 8, 2020
Title holders
Grand Master of the Sacred Apostolic Hospice Period Created by Pope Pius VIIFrancesco Ruspoli, 3rd Prince of CerveteriCastello Ruspoli website, The Family1808-1829Alessandro Ruspoli, 4th Prince of Cerveteri1829-1842Giovanni Nepomucene Ruspoli, 5th Prince of Cerveteri1842-1876Francesco Maria Ruspoli, 6th Prince of Cerveteri1876-1907Alessandro Ruspoli, 7th Prince of Cerveteri 1907-1942Francesco Ruspoli, 8th Prince of Cerveteri 1942-1989 The reform of the Papal Curia abolished the post in 1968, keeping the title purely honorary.
See also
Ruspoli
References