The
Gonfalonier of the Church or
Papal Gonfalonier (, "
standard-bearer"; ) was a military and political office of the
Papal States. Originating from the use of the
Papal banner during combat, the office later became largely ceremonial and political. At his nomination, the Gonfalonier was given two banners, one with the arms of the Church (
vexillum cum armis Ecclesiæ) and another with the arms of the reigning
pope (
cum armis suis). The Gonfalonier was entitled to include ecclesiastical emblems (the
Keys of St. Peter and the
ombrellino) upon his own arms, usually only during his term of office but on occasion permanently.
Pope Innocent XII ended the rank, along with the
captaincy general, and replaced them both with the position of Flag-bearer of the Holy Roman Church , which later became hereditary in the Naro Patrizi.