The Apostolic Preacher, also known as the Preacher to the Papal Household is a part of the Roman Curia

Roman Curia

The Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body of the entire Catholic Church, together with the Pope...

. This individual gives meditation

Meditation

Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....

 to the Pope

Pope

The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...

 and other senior officials. This individual is the only one allowed to preach to the pope. Since 1980, the position has been held by Rev. Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa

Raniero Cantalamessa

Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M. Cap. is an Italian Catholic priest in the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. He has served as the Preacher to the Papal Household since 1980, under both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI....

.

History

Established by Pope Paul IV

Pope Paul IV

Pope Paul IV, C.R. , né Giovanni Pietro Carafa, was Pope from 23 May 1555 until his death.-Early life:Giovanni Pietro Carafa was born in Capriglia Irpina, near Avellino, into a prominent noble family of Naples...

 in 1555, the position was initially unpopular among Prelates. This individual held the ideal of reminding the Papal Court

Papal court

The Papal Household or Pontifical Household , called until 1968 the Papal Court , consists of dignitaries who assist the Pope in carrying out particular ceremonies of either a religious or a civil character....

 of their respective duties. Prior to this, four General Procurators took turns to preach on the Sundays of Advent

Advent

Advent is a season observed in many Western Christian churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western liturgical year and commences on Advent Sunday, called Levavi...

 and Lent

Lent

In the Christian tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer – through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial – for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and...

. Under this new position, one person would be appointed from different religious orders.

In 1753, under the reign of Pope Benedict XIV

Pope Benedict XIV

Pope Benedict XIV , born Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini, was Pope from 17 August 1740 to 3 May 1758.-Life:...

, the Brief Inclytum Fratrum Minorum reserved the office exclusively to individuals of the Order of Capuchin Friars Minor

Order of Friars Minor Capuchin

The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin is an Order of friars in the Catholic Church, among the chief offshoots of the Franciscans. The worldwide head of the Order, called the Minister General, is currently Father Mauro Jöhri.-Origins :...

. It was stated this change took place because of "the example of Christian piety and religious perfection, the splendor of doctrine and the Apostolic Zeal" found in the order.

Apostolic Preachers

• Alonso Salmerón
• Francis Toleto
• Anselmus Marzatti
• Francis Cassini
• Bonaventure Barberini
• Michael Francesch
• Lewis Micara of Frascati
• Lewis of Trent
• Raniero Cantalamessa
  Raniero Cantalamessa
  Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M. Cap. is an Italian Catholic priest in the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. He has served as the Preacher to the Papal Household since 1980, under both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI....