BRIEF, PAPAL, is the name given to the letters which the pope addresses to individuals or religious communities upon matters of discipline. The Latin name is Brevis, or Breve, which in the Latinity of the lower ages meant an epistle or written scroll. The French in the old times used to say Brief for a letter, and the Germans have retained the word Brief with the same meaning to this day. The difference between a brief and a bull in the language of the Papal chan cery is this : the briefs are less ample and solemn instruments than bulls, and are like private letters addressed to indivi duals, giving the papal decision upon particular matters, such as dispensations, release from vows, appointments to bene fices in the gift of the see of Rome, indul gencies, &c. ; or they are mere friendly and congratulatory letters to princes and other persons high in office. The epos tolical brief is usually written on paper, but sometimes on parchment; it is sealed in red wax with the seal of the Fisher man (sub annulo Piseatoris), which is a symbol of St. Peter in a boat casting his net into the sea. (Ciampini, Dissertatio de Abbreviator= Munere, cap. A
bull is a solemn decree of the pope in his capacity of head of the Catholic church : it relates to matters of doctrine, and as such is addressed to all the members of that church for their general information and guidance. The bulls of excom munication launched by several popes against a king or a whole state are often recorded in history. The briefs are not signed by the pope, but by an officer of the papal chancery, called Segretario dei Brevi : they are indited without any preamble, and, as just observed, are writ ten generally upon paper. The bulls are always on parchment, and sealed with a pendent seal of lead or green wax, repre senting on one side the heads of St. Peter and St. Paul, and on the reverse the name of the pope and the year of his pontificate • their name comes from the Latin " a carved ornament or stamp. The bulls of indulgences are general, and addressed to all the members of the church ; the briefs of indulgences are addressed to particular individuals or monastic orders for their particular benefit.