Why did monarchs and popes refer to themselves in the first-person plural (i.e. we, us) and do they still?

by burrbro235

Examples: "We decree that....", "Your gift pleases us.", etc.

joyeusenoelle

This is known as the "majestic plural" or "royal we". Religious leaders use it to indicate that they are speaking for themselves and whatever deity they represent; secular monarchs use it to indicate that they are speaking on behalf of their country.