Apostolic visitor

In the Catholic Church, an apostolic visitor or Apostolic Visitator; Italian: Visitatore apostolico is a papal lesson with a transient mission to perform a canonical visitation of relatively short duration. The visitor is deputed to investigate a special circumstance in a diocese or country, and to submit a representation to the Holy See at the conclusion of the investigation.

The Commission of the Apostolic Visitation

For the city of Rome itself there is a permanent Commission of the Apostolic Visitation. establish by Urban VIII as one of the Roman congregations under the presidency of the cardinal vicar, it was changed into a commission by Pope Pius X through the Constitution "Sapienti Consilio" 29 June 1908. These Apostolic visitors annually study the parishes and institutions of Rome and relation on their spiritual and financial condition. They pay special attention to the fulfilment of the obligations springing from pious foundations and legacies for Masses and chaplaincies.