Your Eminence
Eminence ( Latin : eminere : "protrude" or eminentia : "elevation") is the protocol-based address of the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church and bishops of the Eastern Church .
It reads in detail " His Eminence the Most Revered Lord ... Cardinal (Eastern Churches : Metropolitan / Bishop) ... ". The official abbreviation is S. Em .; official salutation is His Eminence .
It was originally - since the 7th century - an honorary title or address to the cardinals and address to the bishops until the latter received the address Reverenz (later Excellency ).
This is also how the spiritual electors and the Grand Master of the Order of Malta were named after Pope Urban VIII had already awarded the title of Eminence to the cardinals on June 10, 1630, who were previously called Illustrissimi ( Latin for "the most illustrious") and since then in Their coats of arms and seals had to omit all the badges of worldly sovereignty and power that were previously due to them as members of princely houses.
