The post was usually conferred on an Italian or other noble with a professional military reputation or (later) a relative of the pope.
The parallel office of gonfalonier was more a formal and ceremonial honor than the responsibility of a tactical military leader.
Pope Innocent XII removed both ranks and replaced them with the position of Flag-bearer of the Holy Roman Church (Vessilifero di Santo Romana Chiesa), which later became hereditary in the Naro Patrizi.
[3] It was traditional for the captain general to carry a baton of command blessed by the pope.
Engraving by Abraham Brueghel and Nicolas Guerard of the "Wine of St. Martin: dedicated to Gaspare Altierti, Generale di Santa Chiesa.