Holy See awards

privilege for female Roman Catholic royalty to wear white clothes instead of black while meeting the pope

200px|thumb|left|Urban VIII supported by sediari 200px|thumb|right|Pius VIII on the sedia gestatoria, carried by the sediari pontifici 200px|thumb|right|Papal ushers performing one of the traditional roles of the sediari as they carry the coffin of John Paul II The Sediari pontifici () were chair-bearers of the pope on the sedia gestatoria. Originally servants of the papal household, they later became a lay confraternity. The origins of the chair-bearers lie in medieval times, earlier even than the Swiss Guards.

ceremonial arms