Delegation

Delegation (Ital. delegazione), the term formerly applied in Lombardy, Venice, and the States of the Church, both to the governor and governing court of a province and to the province itself. The number of such provinces varied, but was at one time nineteen. The delegate was always a prelate, and directly appointed by the pope. If he was a cardinal, he was called a Legate, and his province a Legation.