Apostolic Chancery
The Apostolic Chancery (Latin: Cancellaria Apostolica; also known as the Papal or Roman Chanc(ell)ery) was a dicastery of the Roman Curia. The chief official was the Cardinal Chancellor of Holy Roman Church who was always Cardinal-Priest of San Lorenzo in Damaso.
The principal function of the Chancellor was founded originally to collect money to maintain the papal armies. Pope Pius VII reformed the office when Napoleon obviated the need for papal armies. In the early 20th century the office had the duties to collect money for missionary work. The office was abolished by the motu proprio Quo aptius of 27 February 1973 issued by Pope Paul VI. Its functions were transferred to the Secretariat of State.
History until 1908
It takes its name chancery from civil law and from the imperial chanceries, and is certainly of very ancient origin in its essence. The primacy of the Roman Pontiff made it necessary that the Pope should have in his service officers to write and to transmit his answers to the numerous petitions for favours and to the numerous consultations addressed to him. This office, in course of time, underwent many transformations, too many to treat in full.