Sediario
As sediari (also: sediari pontificio , plural: Sediari Pontifici ) referred to a member of the papal court, whose most visible task was the big throne chair of the Pope ( Sedia gestatoria ) and the smaller minor Sedes to wear. Twelve carriers were required for the Sedia gestatoria, the Sedes minor was carried by only eight Sediari. Since the litters since the late years of the pontificate of Pope Paul VI. were only used very rarely - e.g. B. at general audiences to give people a better view of the Pope - and since Pope John Paul II has not been used, the tasks of the Sediari today are limited to services in the Anticamera Pontificia in the Apostolic Palace . They also accompany the Pope to the public audiences and are part of the escort of the people who are received in audiences. At the funeral of a Pope they carry his coffin. The wheeled chair used because of the frailty of John Paul II was also maneuvered by the Sediari.
The Sediari are still grouped together in their own college, the head of which is known as the Decano di Sala . Until 1971 the Sediari wore purple damask robes . Today they wear a gray suit that goes down to their knees.