Legal Definitions - indult

An indult is a special permission granted by the Pope to do something that goes against the rules of the Catholic Church. This permission is also known as indulto.

Indults were often given for political reasons. For example, a king or queen might be given an indult that allowed them to choose a church leader without interference from the Pope. Other groups, like the parliament of Paris or the college of cardinals, might also be given special privileges through an indult.

One example of an indult was given to King Henry VIII of England in the 16th century. The Pope allowed him to divorce his wife, which was normally not allowed in the Catholic Church. This was a political move, as Henry VIII wanted to marry someone else and needed the Pope's permission to do so.

Another example of an indult was given to the Society of St. Pius X in 2007. This group had been excommunicated from the Catholic Church, but the Pope granted them an indult that allowed them to celebrate Mass and perform other religious rites.

Overall, an indult is a special permission granted by the Pope for political or religious reasons. It allows someone to do something that would normally be against the rules of the Catholic Church.