(Lat. nuntius; It. nuncio) signifies a messenger in general, but is employed specially to designate the ambassador sent by the Pope to Roman Catholic states. This functionary is usually a prelate, and when a cardinal he is styled legate. In those countries subject to the decrets and discipline of the Council of Trent, the papal nuncios act as judges of appeal from the decision of the bishops; but in other Roman Catholic states (as France, Austria, &c.), which maintain their independency of the discipline of the Court of Rome, nuncios possess no jurisdiction, and have simply the diplomatic character of any other ambassador from a foreign court. In former times, however, the influence of nuncios and legates at foreign courts was frequently all but supreme.