A Papal Mass is the Solemn Pontifical High Mass when offered by the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
There are numerous special ceremonials which are particular to the pope. A Solemn Papal Mass would be celebrated on solemn occasions such as a Papal Coronation, an ex cathedra pronouncement, the canonization of a saint, or a major feast such as Easter or Christmas.
Many of the ceremonies that were once connected with such a Mass have fallen out of use since the time of Pope Paul VI and some, such as the reservation of Communion to the Pope, the deacon and the subdeacon, since the time of Pope Pius X.
Read more about Papal Mass: Ceremonial in The Past, Modern Day
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—Herman Melville (1819–1891)