Holy See

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of the Vatican City The arms of the Holy See. ... Vatican City flag Politics of the Vatican City takes place in a framework of an absolute elect-monarchy, in which the head of the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope, exercises supreme legislative, executive, and judicial power over the Holy See and the State of the Vatican City, a rare case...

Pope Benedict XVI Roman Curia Secretariat of State Roman Congregations Vicariate General of Rome Vatican City Pontifical Commission Conclave Lateran treaty

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The Holy See (Latin: Sancta Sedes, "holy seat") is the episcopal see of Rome. The incumbent of the see is the Bishop of Rome — the Pope. The term Holy See, as used in Canon law, also refers to the Pope and the Roman Curia—in effect, the central government of the Catholic Church—and is the sense more widely used today. The current Pope is Benedict XVI (born Joseph Alois Ratzinger), who was elected at the age of 78 on 19 April 2005. ... Papal Arms of Pope Benedict XVI. The papal tiara was replaced with a bishops mitre, and pallium of the Pope was added beneath the coat of arms. ... The Roman Curia - usually (but simplistically) called the Vatican - is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See, coordinating and providing the necessary organisation for the correct functioning of the Catholic Church and the achievement of its goals. ... The Secretariat of State is the oldest dicastery in the Roman Curia, the government of the Roman Catholic Church. ... A congregation is a type of dicastery of the Roman Curia, the central administrative organism of the Catholic Church. ... Cardinal Vicar is the title of the the vicar general of the Pope, as Bishop of Rome, for the spiritual administration of the city, and its surrounding district, known in Latin as Vicarius Urbis. ... The Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State is the legislative body of Vatican City. ... The Sistine Chapel is the location of the conclave. ... The Lateran Treaties of February 11, 1929 provided for the mutual recognition of the then Kingdom of Italy and the Vatican City. ... Information on politics by country is available for every country, including both de jure and de facto independent states, inhabited dependent territories, as well as areas of special sovereignty. ... Latin is an ancient Indo-European language originally spoken in Latium, the region immediately surrounding Rome. ... A see (from the Latin word sedem, meaning seat) is the throne (cathedra) of a bishop. ... Nickname: The Eternal City Motto: SPQR: Senatus PopulusQue Romanus Location of the city of Rome (yellow) within the Province of Rome (red) and region of Lazio (grey) Coordinates: Region Lazio Province Province of Rome Founded 21 April 753 BC  - Mayor Walter Veltroni Area    - City 1285 km²  (580 sq mi)  - Urban... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Pope. ... The current Pope is Benedict XVI (born Joseph Alois Ratzinger), who was elected at the age of 78 on 19 April 2005. ... Canon Law is the ecclesiastical law of the Roman Catholic Church. ... The Roman Curia - usually (but simplistically) called the Vatican - is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See, coordinating and providing the necessary organisation for the correct functioning of the Catholic Church and the achievement of its goals. ... The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church (see terminology below) is the Christian Church in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, currently Pope Benedict XVI. It traces its origins to the original Christian community founded by Jesus Christ and led by the Twelve Apostles, in particular Saint Peter. ...

The Holy See is also called the "Apostolic See", although this name properly refers to any see founded by the Apostles and especially to the three original patriarchal sees of Rome (St. Peter and St. Paul), Alexandria (St. Mark) and Antioch (St. Peter). Later Constantinople and Jerusalem, restored after its period as a pagan city (Aelia Capitolina), were also numbered among the patriarchal sees. The five sees were ranked in descending order of precedence: Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem. In the several centuries following the founding of Christianity, five particular cities and centers of Christianity were considered to be Apostolic Sees. ... The Twelve Apostles (in Koine Greek απόστολος apostolos [1], someone sent forth/sent out, an emissary) were probably Galilean Jewish men (10 names are Aramaic, 4 names are Greek) chosen from among the disciples, who were sent forth by Jesus of Nazareth to preach the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles... For other senses, see Patriarch (disambiguation). ... Nickname: The Eternal City Motto: SPQR: Senatus PopulusQue Romanus Location of the city of Rome (yellow) within the Province of Rome (red) and region of Lazio (grey) Coordinates: Region Lazio Province Province of Rome Founded 21 April 753 BC  - Mayor Walter Veltroni Area    - City 1285 km²  (580 sq mi)  - Urban... According to tradition, Peter was crucified upside-down, as shown in this painting by Caravaggio. ... Paul of Tarsus (b. ... This article is about the city in Egypt. ... Mark the Evangelist (1st century) is traditionally believed to be the author of the Gospel of Mark, drawing much of his material from Peter. ... Antioch on the Orontes (Greek: Αντιόχεια η επί Δάφνη, Αντιόχεια η επί Ορόντου or Αντιόχεια η Μεγάλη; Latin: Antiochia ad Orontem, also Antiochia dei Siri), the Great Antioch or Syrian Antioch was an ancient city located on the eastern side (left bank) of the Orontes River about 30 km from the sea and its port, Seleucia Pieria. ... According to tradition, Peter was crucified upside-down, as shown in this painting by Caravaggio. ... Map of Constantinople. ... Hebrew יְרוּשָׁלַיִם (Yerushalayim) (Standard) Yerushalayim or Yerushalaim Arabic commonly القـُدْس (Al-Quds); officially in Israel أورشليم القدس (Urshalim-Al-Quds) Name Meaning Hebrew: (see below), Arabic: The Holiness Government City District Jerusalem Population 724,000 (2006) Jurisdiction 123,000 dunams (123 km²) Mayor Uri Lupolianski Web Address www. ... Aelia Capitolina was a city built by the emperor Hadrian in the year 131, and occupied by a Roman colony, on the site of Syrian dominions. ...

Aside from Rome, the archiepiscopal See of Mainz, which was also of electoral and primatial rank, is the only other see referred to as the "Holy See," although this usage is rather less common. In Christianity, an archbishop is an elevated bishop. ... Between 780–82 and 1802 the Archbishop of Mainz was an influential ecclesiastic and secular prince in the Holy Roman Empire. ... The prince-electors or electoral princes of the Holy Roman Empire — German: Kurfürst (singular) Kurfürsten (plural) — were the members of the electoral college of the Holy Roman Empire, having the function of electing the Emperors of Germany. ... Catholic Patriarchal (non cardinal) coat of arms Primate (from the Latin Primus, first) is a title or rank bestowed on some bishops in certain Christian churches. ...

Organization of the Holy See

The Pope governs the Church through the Roman Curia. The Roman Curia consists of the Secretariat of State, nine Congregations, three Tribunals, 11 Pontifical Councils, and a complex of offices that administer church affairs at the highest level. The Secretariat of State, under the Cardinal Secretary of State, directs and coordinates the Curia. The current incumbent, Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone, is the Holy See's equivalent of a prime minister. Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary of the Section for Relations With States of the Secretariat of State acts as the Holy See's foreign minister. Bertone and Mamberti have been named in their respective roles under by Pope Benedict XVI in September 2006. The Roman Curia - usually (but simplistically) called the Vatican - is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See, coordinating and providing the necessary organisation for the correct functioning of the Catholic Church and the achievement of its goals. ... The Secretariat of State is the oldest dicastery in the Roman Curia, the government of the Roman Catholic Church. ... A congregation is a type of dicastery of the Roman Curia, the central administrative organism of the Catholic Church. ... An ecclesiastical court (also called Court Christian) is any of certain courts having jurisdiction mainly in spiritual or religious matters. ... Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone is the Archbishop of Genoa and was considered papabile following the death of Pope John Paul II. His Eminence Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone (born 2 December 1934) is Archbishop of Genoa and a Cardinal Priest in the Roman Catholic Church. ... Dominique François Joseph Mamberti (7 March 1952-) is the current Secretary for Relations with States in the Roman Curia for the Holy See. ... Papal Arms of Pope Benedict XVI. The papal tiara was replaced with a bishops mitre, and pallium of the Pope was added beneath the coat of arms. ...

Among the most active of the major Curial institutions are the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which oversees church doctrine; the Congregation for Bishops, which coordinates the appointment of bishops worldwide; the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, which oversees all missionary activities; and the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, which deals with international peace and social issues. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) (Congregatio pro Doctrina Fidei) is the oldest of the nine congregations of the Roman Curia. ... The Congregation for Bishops (Congregatio pro Episcopis) is the congregation of the Roman Curia which oversees the selection of new bishops pending papal approval. ... The headquarters of the Propaganda fide in Rome, North facade on Piazza di Spagna by architect Bernini, the southwest facade seen here by Borromini: etching by Giuseppe Vasi, 1761 [1] The Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (Congregatio pro Gentium Evangelizatione) is the congregation of the Roman Curia responsibile for... The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (Justitia et Pax) is a part of the Roman Curia dedicated to action-oriented studies for the international promotion of justice, peace, and human rights from the perspective of the Roman Catholic Church. ...

Three tribunals are responsible for judicial power. The Sacra Rota is responsible for normal appeals, including decrees of nullity for marriages, with the Apostolic Signatura being the administrative court of appeal and highest ecclesiastical court. The Apostolic Penitentiary is different from those two and, instead of dealing with contentious cases, issues absolutions, dispensations, and indulgences. The Sacra Rota Romana or Sacred Roman Rota is the supreme court of the Roman Catholic Church. ... The Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura is the administrative appellate tribunal of the Holy See and, consequently, the highest judicial authority of the Roman Catholic Church outside of the Pope himself. ... The Apostolic Penitentiary, more formally the Tribunal of the Apostolic Penitentiary, is one of three bodies in the Roman Curia that make up the judiciary within the Holy See. ...

The Prefecture for Economic Affairs coordinates the finances of the Holy See departments and supervises the administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See, an investment fund dating back to the Lateran Pacts. A committee of 15 cardinals, chaired by the Secretary of State, has final oversight authority over all financial matters of the Holy See, including those of the Institute for Works of Religion, the Vatican bank. The Prefecture for the Pontifical Household is responsible for papal ceremonies and the daily work and life of the Pope. The Lateran Treaties of February 11, 1929 provided for the mutual recognition of the then Kingdom of Italy and the Vatican City. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ...

Like any episcopal see, the Holy See does not dissolve upon the death or resignation of the reigning Pope. It instead operates under a different set of laws sede vacante. During this interregnum, the heads of the dicasteries of the Roman Curia (such as the prefects of congregations) cease to hold office immediately, the only exceptions being the Major Penitentiary, who continues his important role regarding absolutions and dispensations, and the Cardinal Camerlengo, who administers the temporalities (i.e., properties and finances) of the Holy See during this period. The government of the Holy See, and therefore of the Catholic Church, then falls to the College of Cardinals. Canon Law prohibits the College and the Camerlengo from introducing any innovations or novelties in the government of the Church during this period. Sede vacante is the vacancy of the episcopal see of a particular church in the Canon law of the Roman Catholic Church. ... Dicasteries (from Greek: δικαστ, judge/juror) are the central offices of the Roman Curia in which the stewardship of the Roman Catholic Church is entrusted. ... The Apostolic Penitentiary, more formally the Tribunal of the Apostolic Penitentiary, is one of three bodies in the Roman Curia that make up the judiciary within the Holy See. ... The title Camerlengo (Italian for Chamberlain) refers to an official of the Papal court, referring either to the Chamberlain of the Roman Catholic Church, to the Chamberlain of the Sacred College of Cardinals, or to various lesser dignitaries. ... The Sacred College of Cardinals is the body of all Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church. ... Canon Law is the ecclesiastical law of the Roman Catholic Church. ...

Diplomacy of the Holy See

Foreign relations with the Holy See ██ diplomatic relations ██ other relations

Since medieval times the episcopal see of Rome has been recognized as a sovereign entity. The Holy See maintains formal diplomatic relations with 175 sovereign states ^[1], the European Union, and the Order of Malta; 69 of these maintain permanent resident diplomatic missions accredited to the Holy See in Rome. The rest have missions with dual accreditation outside Italy, as the Holy See does not accept dual accreditation with an embassy located in Italy. It also has relations of a special nature with Russia (Mission with an Ambassador) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (Office with a Director). The Holy See maintains 179 permanent diplomatic missions abroad (106 of which are accredited to sovereign states). The diplomatic activities of the Holy See are performed by the Secretariat of State (headed by the Cardinal Secretary of State), through the Section for Relations with States. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1357x628, 47 KB) Summary based on world map from Wikipedia Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1357x628, 47 KB) Summary based on world map from Wikipedia Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... Sovereignty is the exclusive right to exercise supreme political (e. ... The Knights Hospitaller (the or Knights of Malta or Knights of Rhodes) is a tradition which began as a Benedictine nursing Order founded in the 11th century based in the Holy Land, but soon became a militant Christian Chivalric Order under its own charter, and was charged with the care... The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (Arabic: ‎;   or Munazzamat al-Tahrir al-Filastiniyyah) is a political and paramilitary organization regarded by the Arab League since October 1974 as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. ... The Secretariat of State is the oldest dicastery in the Roman Curia, the government of the Roman Catholic Church. ... The Cardinal Secretary of State presides over the Vatican Secretariat of State, which is the oldest and most important dicastery of the Roman Curia. ...

The Holy See has the oldest continuous diplomatic service in the world tracing its origins to at least AD 325 from its original legation to the First Council of Nicea.

The Holy See is the only European subject of international law to formally recognize the Republic of China (Taiwan). It is the longest lasting diplomatic ally of the ROC, having held official relations since 1942, before relocation of its government from Nanking to Taipei. Talks between the mainland People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Holy See on diplomatic recognition have been ongoing, with the main issue the treatment of Chinese Catholics in mainland China. The People's Republic of China government controls a Chinese Catholic Association which does not recognize the authority of Rome and the People's Republic of China has officially banned the underground Catholic Church which recognizes the Holy See's authority. This article is about the continent. ... International law deals with the relationships between states, or between persons or entities in different states. ... Motto: Three Principles of the People (三民主義 San-min Chu-i) Anthem: National Anthem of the Republic of China Capital Taipei (de facto)  Nanking (de jure)1  Largest city Taipei Official languages Mandarin (GuóyÇ”) Government Semi-presidential system  - President Chen Shui-bian  - Vice President Annette Lu  - Premier Su Tseng-chang... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... PRC is a common abbreviation for: Peoples Republic of China Palestinian Red Crescent Popular Resistance Committees This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Chinese Catholic Association is the Government sanctioned Catholic Church. This was done by the PRC government in order to maintain control over the nations catholics. ...

International organizations

The Holy See is especially active in international organizations and is a member of the following groups:

• International Grains Council (IGC)
• International Committee for Military Medicine (ICMM)
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
• International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
• International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO)
• Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
• Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
• Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)*
• Universal Postal Union (UPU), International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT)
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

• Note: In 1971, the Holy See announced the decision to adhere to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in order to "give its moral support to the principles that form the base of the treaty itself."

The Holy See is also a permanent observer of the following groups: The IAEA flag The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was established as an autonomous organization on July 29, 1957. ... The International Telecommunication Union (ITU; French: Union internationale des télécommunications, Spanish: Unión Internacional de Telecomunicaciones) is an international organization established to standardize and regulate international radio and telecommunications. ... Intelsat is the worlds largest commercial satellite communications services provider. ... The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is an agency of the United Nations. ... The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is an international organization for security. ... Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Opened for signature September 10, 1996[1] in New York Entered into force Not yet in force Conditions for entry into force The treaty will enter into force 180 days after it is ratified by all of the following 44 (Annex 2) countries: Algeria, Argentina, Australia... The Universal Postal Union (UPU, French: Union postale universelle) is an international organization that coordinates postal policies between member nations, and hence the world-wide postal system. ... The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) is an independent intergovernmental organisation whose purpose is to study needs and methods for modernising, harmonising and co-ordinating private law and in particular commercial law between states. ... Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (established December 14, 1950) protects and supports refugees at the request of a government or the United Nations and assists in their return or resettlement. ... The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) was established in 1963 as a permanent intergovernmental body, UNCTAD is the principal organ of the United Nations General Assembly dealing with trade, investment and development issues. ... Headquarters in Geneva The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is one of the specialized agencies of the United Nations. ... The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is a treaty, opened for signature on July 1, 1968, restricting the possession of nuclear weapons. ...

• International Organization for Migration (IOM)
• International Labour Organization (ILO)
• International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
• Latin Union (LU)
• Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington
• Organization of African Unity (OAU)
• United Nations*
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• United Nations Drug Control Programme (UNDCP)
• United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS)
• United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
• World Tourism Organization (WToO)
• World Trade Organization (WTO)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• World Food Programme (WFP)

• Note: the Holy See is a permanent observer in the United Nations and, in July 2004, gained all the rights of full membership except voting. According to Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Holy See Permanent Observer, "We have no vote because this is our choice." He added that the Holy See considers that its current status "is a fundamental step that does not close any path for the future. The Holy See has the requirements defined by the UN statute to be a member state and, if in the future it wished to be so, this resolution would not impede it from requesting it."

The Holy See is an observer on an informal basis of the following groups: The International Organization for Migration is an intergovernmental organization. ... The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations to deal with labour issues. ... The International Fund for Agricultural Development is an agency of the United Nations. ... World map of Latin Union member states The Latin Union is an international organization of nations that use a Romance language. ... The Organization of American States (OAS; OEA in the other three official languages) is an international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., USA. Its members are the 35 independent nations of the Americas. ... Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United... Flag of the Organisation of African Unity, later also used by the African Union. ... The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress and human rights issues. ... UNESCO logo UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. ... Klaus Töpfer, UNEP Exec. ... The United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) and the United Nations Centre for International Crime Prevention (CICP) are part of the United Nations Office for Drug Control & Crime Prevention (ODCCP). ... It has been suggested that FAOSTAT be merged into this article or section. ... World Tourism Organization Building in Madrid The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is a United Nations agency dealing with questions relating to tourism. ... The World Trade Organization (WTO, French: , German: , Spanish: ) is an international organization that establishes rules for international trade through consensus among its member states. ... The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations, acting as a coordinating authority on international public health, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. ... // World Food Programme Hunger and undernutrition claim more lives than AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined—25,000 people a day, one every four seconds. ... The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress and human rights issues. ... Archbishop Celestino Migliore (born 1 July 1952 in Cuneo, Italy) is the Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations. ...

• Asian-African Legal Consultative Committee (AALCC)
• International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR)
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)
• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
• United Nations Committee of Peaceful Use of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS)
• World Meteorological Organization in Geneva (WMO)

The Holy See sends a delegate to the Arab League in Cairo. It is also a guest of honour to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Coöperation in Europe. The Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization is an international governmental organization formed in 1956, initially to serve as an advisory board to member states on matters on international law. ... It has been suggested that National Platforms for Natural Disaster Reduction be merged into this article or section. ... Headquarters of the International Maritime Organisation in Lambeth, adjacent to the east end of Lambeth Bridge Headquarters building taken from the west side of the Thames Headquartered in London, U.K., the International Maritime Organization (IMO) promotes cooperation among governments and the shipping industry to improve maritime safety and to... The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), an agency of the United Nations, codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth. ... The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space was set up by the General Assembly in 1959. ... The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is an intergovernmental organization with a membership of 187 Member States and Territories. ... Geneva (pronunciation //; French: Genève //, German:   //, Italian: Ginevra) is the second most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich), and is the most populous city of Romandy (the French-speaking part of Switzerland). ... The Arab League or League of Arab States (Arabic: ‎), is an organization of predominately Arab states (compare Arab world). ... Nickname: Al Qahirah (The Triumphant City) Cairos location in Egypt Coordinates: Governor Dr. Abdul Azim Wazir Area    - City 210 km²  - Metro 1,492 km² Population (2005)  - City 7,438,376  - Density 35,420/km²  - Urban 10,834,495  - Metro 15,200,000 Time zone EET (UTC+2)  - Summer (DST... The Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Coöperation in Europe is a body of parliamentarians from the OSCEs member states. ...

Relationship with the Vatican City and other territories

Although the Holy See is closely associated with the Vatican City, the independent territory over which the Holy See is sovereign, the two entities are separate and distinct. After the Italian takeover of the Papal States in 1870, there was some uncertainty among jurists as to whether the Holy See, without territorial sovereignty, could continue to act as an independent personality in international matters. A number of countries – mostly Catholic nations plus the notable powers of Russia, Prussia and Austria-Hungary – did recognize Vatican sovereignty, but most nations did not. Sovereignty is the exclusive right to exercise supreme political (e. ... Map of the Papal States. ... 1870 (MDCCCLXX) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... A jurist is a professional who studies, develops, applies or otherwise deals with the law. ... Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of Prussia, 1701-1918 Prussia (German: ; Latin: Borussia, Prutenia; Lithuanian: ; Polish: ; Old Prussian: PrÅ«sa) was, most recently, a historic state originating in East Prussia, an area which for centuries had substantial influence on German and European history. ... Austria-Hungary, also known as the Dual monarchy (or: the k. ...

The State of the Vatican City was created by the Lateran Treaty in 1929 to "insure the absolute and visible independence of the Holy See" and "to guarantee to it an indisputable sovereignty in international affairs" (quotations from the treaty). Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, the Holy See's former Secretary for Relations with States, said that the Vatican City is a "minuscule support-state that guarantees the spiritual freedom of the Pope with the minimum territory". [1] The Lateran Treaties of February 11, 1929 provided for the mutual recognition of the then Kingdom of Italy and the Vatican City. ... 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Jean-Louis Tauran His Eminence Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran (born 3 April 1943) is a Cardinal Deacon and the Archivist and Librarian of the Roman Catholic Church. ...

The Holy See, not the Vatican City, maintains diplomatic relations with states (such as with the United Kingdom), and participates in international organizations. Foreign embassies are accredited to the Holy See rather than to the Vatican City, and it is the Holy See that establishes treaties and concordats with other sovereign entities. When necessary, the Holy See will enter a treaty on behalf of the Vatican City. A diplomatic mission is a group of people from one nation state present in another nation state to represent the sending state in the receiving State. ... Single European Act A treaty is a binding agreement under international law entered into by actors in international law, namely states and international organizations. ... A concordat is an agreement between the pope and a government or sovereign on religious matters. ...

Under the terms of the Lateran Treaty, the Holy See has extraterritorial authority over 23 sites in Rome and five Italian sites outside of Rome, including the Pontifical Palace at Castel Gandolfo.^[2] The same authority is extended under international law over the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See in a foreign country. Extraterritoriality is the state of being exempt from the jurisdiction of local law, usually as the result of diplomatic negotiations. ... Country Italy Region Lazio Province Rome Mayor Maurizio Colacchi (since May 2002) Elevation 426 m Area 14 km² Population  - Total 6,927  - Density 495/km² Time zone CET, UTC+1 Coordinates Gentilic Castellani Dialing code 06 Postal code 00040 Frazioni Mole di Castel Gandolfo, Pavona Patron St. ... International law (also called public international law to distinguish from private international law, i. ... An Apostolic Nunciature is a top level diplomatic mission of the Holy See, equivalent to an embassy or to a High Commission between members of the Commonwealth. ...

See also

• History of the Papacy
• History of the Vatican City
• Roman Curia
• Nuncio for the Foreign relations of the Holy See
• Pope Benedict XVI
• Vatican City

This article refers to the history of the head of the Roman Catholic Church. ... The Holy Sees diplomatic history began in the fourth century, but the boundaries of the papacys temporal power have shifted over the centuries. ... The Roman Curia - usually (but simplistically) called the Vatican - is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See, coordinating and providing the necessary organisation for the correct functioning of the Catholic Church and the achievement of its goals. ... Nuncio is an ecclesiastical diplomatic title, derived from the ancient Latin Nuntius, meaning any envoy. ... Papal Arms of Pope Benedict XVI. The papal tiara was replaced with a bishops mitre, and pallium of the Pope was added beneath the coat of arms. ...

References

1. ^ Holy See Press Office
2. ^ CIA - The World Factbook -- Holy See (Vatican City). Central Intelligence Agency (2006-12-19). Retrieved on 2007-01-03.

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is an intelligence agency of the United States Government. ... 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 19 is the 353rd day of the year (354th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD (or CE) era. ... January 3 is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Further reading

Books

• La Due, William J. The Chair of Saint Peter: A History of the Papacy. (ISBN 1-57075-249-4)

External links

• The Holy See Website
• Primacy of the Apostolic See
• CIA World Factbook on Holy See
• Between Venus and Mars, the Church of Rome Chooses Both - The Holy See’s geopolitics analyzed in the light of the dominant doctrines
• The Holy See in the course of time, from an Orthodox perspective
• Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations
• Australian Embassy in The Holy See
• Canadian Embassy to the Holy See
• British Embassy to the Holy See
• The Embassy of the Czech Republic at the Holy See in Vatican
• United States Embassy to the Holy See

Papal rituals, symbols & ceremonial
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