Legal Definitions - ablegate

An ablegate is a special envoy appointed by the Pope to carry out a specific mission. This could include tasks such as delivering important messages or carrying the insignia of office for a newly appointed cardinal.

When Pope Francis appointed a new cardinal, he sent an ablegate to deliver the cardinal's insignia of office.

During the Middle Ages, ablegates were often sent on diplomatic missions to other countries.

These examples illustrate how an ablegate is a representative of the Pope who is given a specific task to carry out. They are often sent on important missions that require diplomacy and tact.