A LATERE, a term used to denote the qualifications of the cardinals whom the pope sends as legates into foreign countries. They are called legates a-latere, as being his holiness's assistants and counsellors in ordinary. These are the most considerable of the other three kinds of legates, being such as the pope commissions to take his place in councils; and so called, in regard that he never gives this office to any but his
favourites and confidants, who are always a-latere, at his side. A legate a-latere has the power of conferring benefices without a mandate, of legitimating bastards to hold offices, and has a cross carried before him as the ensign of his authority.