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SECRETARIAT OF STATE
Presided over by the
Secretary of State
The Secretariat of State closely assists the Supreme
Pontiff in the exercise of his supreme function. The Cardinal Secretary of State presides
over it. It includes two sections, namely the section for general affairs under the
immediate direction of the Substitute, assisted by an Assessor, and the section for
relations with states under the direction of its own Secretary, with the assistance of a
Subsecretary. Attached to this latter section is a body of cardinals and some bishops.
First Section: General Affairs
Presided over by the Substitute
Assisted by the
Assessor
The first section handles anything entrusted to it by
the Holy Father, as well as matters of daily business which do not fall within the
competence of other dicasteries. It
fosters relations with these departments, with the bishops, and with the diplomatic
missions of the Holy See.
Second Section: Relations with States
Presided over by the Secretary
Assisted by the
Undersecretary
The second section of the Secretariat of State
handles all matters pertaining to civil governments, fostering diplomatic relations with
nations, and maintaining contact with all the diplomatic missions of the Holy See. It
takes care also of what concerns the presence and activity of the Holy See in
international institutes.
CONGREGATIONS
By the name of department (dicasteria) is
understood: the congregations, tribunals, councils and offices, namely the Apostolic
Camera, the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, and the Prefecture of
Economic Affairs of the Holy See. The departments are juridically equal among
themselves. Attached to the institutes of the Roman Curia are the Prefecture of the Papal
Household and the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff.
Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith
Presided over by the
Prefect
Assisted by the Secretary and
Undersecretary
The proper function of the Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith is to promote and safeguard the doctrine of faith and morals in the
whole Catholic world; therefore, those things belong to it which touch this matter in any
way. Fulfilling the function of promoting doctrine, it fosters studies in order that the
understanding of the faith might grow and that a response can be prepared under the light
of faith for new questions arising from developments in science and human culture. It is a
help to bishops, whether individually or gathered in assemblies, in the exercise of the
function by which they are constituted authentic teachers and doctors of the faith as well
as the office by which they are held to safeguard and promote the integrity of that faith.
This Sacred Congregation reproves doctrines opposed to the principles of the faith after
the interested Bishops of a region have been heard. It studies the books referred to it
and, if necessary, reproves them after the author has been heard and has had an
opportunity to defend himself and after the Ordinary has been forewarned. It also examines
whatever concerns "the privilege of the faith" whether in law and in fact. It is
competent to pass judgement on errors about the faith according to the norms of an
ordinary process. It safeguards the dignity of the sacrament of Penance. The Congregation
proceeds administratively or judicially according to the nature of the question to be
treated.
Congregation for the
Oriental Churches
Presided over by the
Prefect
Assisted by the Secretary and
Undersecretary
This Congregation considers those matters, whether
regarding persons or things, which touch on the Eastern Catholic Churches. It treats all
questions which pertain either to persons, or to discipline, or to the rites of the
Oriental Churches, even if they are mixed in that by the nature of the thing or of persons
they involve Latins. Territories in which a major part of the Christians belong to
Oriental rites are subject only to this Congregation. Even in Latin territories it
carefully supervises the faithful of Oriental rites and provides as much as possible for
their spiritual needs even by the establishment of their own hierarchy if the number of
faithful and circumstances require this.
Congregation for Divine
Worship
and the Discipline of the Sacraments
Presided over by the
Prefect
Assisted by the Secretary and
Undersecretary
The congregation does those things which pertain to
the Apostolic See as to the moderation and promotion of the sacred liturgy, especially the
sacraments, with due regard for the competence of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith. It fosters and safeguards the discipline of the sacraments, especially what
pertains to their valid and licit celebration; moreover, it concedes favors and
dispensations for matters which are not contained in the facilities of diocesan bishops in
this line. It alone examines the non-consummation of a marriage and the presence of
causes for the granting of a dispensation and everything connected with them. It has
competence with regard to the obligations connected with major orders and it examines
questions about the validity of sacred ordination.
Congregation for the
Causes of Saints
Presided over by the
Prefect
Assisted by the Secretary and
Undersecretary
The Congregation for the Causes of Saints is
competent in all matters which in any way pertain to the Beatification of Servants of God
or to the Canonization of the Blessed or to the Preservation of Relics.
Congregation for
Bishops
Presided over by the
Prefect
Assisted by the Secretary and
Undersecretary
Pontifical Commission for Latin America
Presided over as President ex officio by the Prefect of the
Congregation
Assisted by the
Vice-President of the Commission
This congregation examines what pertains to the
constitution and provision of particular churches as well as the exercise of the episcopal
function in the Latin Church, except for the competence of the Congregation for the
Evangelization of Peoples. It belongs to the Congregation for Bishops to propose to the
Roman Pontiff, for approval, the constitution of new dioceses, provinces and regions; to
divide, unite and realign them after consulting the interested Episcopal Conferences; it
deals also with the erection of the military ordinariates and, after consulting the
Episcopal Conference, prelacies for special pastoral ministries for various regions or
social groups. This Congregation provides also for the naming of bishops, apostolic
administrators, coadjutors and auxiliaries of bishops, military and other vicars and
prelates enjoying personal jurisdiction. It is competent for all things that have to do
with bishops and publishes norms which, through the Episcopal Conference, provide for the
more urgent needs of the faithful.
Congregation for the
Evangelization of Peoples
Presided over by the
Prefect
Assisted by the Secretary and Undersecretary
It belongs to this congregation to direct and
coordinate throughout the world the work of the evangelization of peoples itself and
missionary cooperation, while respecting the competence of the Congregation for Eastern
Churches. It is competent for those things which pertain to all the missions established
for the spread of the Kingdom of Christ throughout the world and therefore for whatever is
connected with the assignment and transferal of the necessary ministers, for describing
ecclesiastical boundaries and proposing those who will govern them. It encourages also the
development of an indigenous clergy. The congregation sponsors missionary initiatives and
promotes missionary vocations and spirituality. In the territories subject to it, the
Congregation has charge of all that pertains to the holding of synods and councils, to the
establishing of episcopal conferences and to the review of their statutes and decrees. The
Congregation has a Supreme Council for the direction of Pontifical Missionary Works, on
which depend the general Councils of the Missionary Union of the Clergy, the Society for
the Propagation of the Faith, the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, and the Society of the
Holy Childhood.
Congregation for the
Clergy
Presided over by the
Prefect
Assisted by the Secretary and
Undersecretary
With due regard for the rights of bishops and their
conferences, this congregation examines those things which concern priests and deacons of
the secular clergy with regard to their persons, pastoral ministry, matters which are in
support of the exercise of these things, and in all this provides opportune assistance to
the bishops. The Congregation has many functions: it studies, proposes and urges the means
and aids by which priests strive for sanctity. This office also has charge of everything
which concerns the work and discipline of the diocesan clergy. Particularly it promotes
the preaching of the Word of God and the works of the apostolate and organization of
catechesis, evaluates and approves pastoral and catechetical directories, fosters national
and international Catechetical Congresses and indicates the opportune norms for religious
instruction of children, young people and adults. The Congregation looks also to the
preservation and administration of the temporal goods of the Church without prejudice to
the other Congregations which have temporal goods committed to their vigilance. The
Pontifical commission for The Conservation of the Artistic and Sacred Patrimony if
directly responsible to the Congregation for the Clergy.
Congregation for
Institutes of Consecrated Life
and Societies of Apostolic Life
Presided over by the
Prefect
Assisted by the Secretary and
Undersecretary
The principal function of this congregation is to
promote and supervise, in the whole Latin Church, the practices of the evangelical
counsels as they are exercised in approved forms of consecrated life and at the same time
the activities of societies of apostolic life. The Congregation takes care of
Religious Institutes of Consecrated Life and Secular Institutes.
Religious Institutes: the Congregation is
entrusted with the affairs of all religious institutes of the Latin Rite and their
members. It is also competent in matters which pertain to societies of common life,
whose members live like religious, or to Third Orders as such.
Secular Institutes: the Congregation is
competent in the same way, all else being equal, for Apostolic Societies which, although
not religious, make a true and complete profession of the evangelical counsels in the
world.
Congregation for
Catholic Education
(for Seminaries and Educational Institutions)
Presided over by the
Prefect
Assisted by the Secretary and
Undersecretary
This Congregation expresses and exercises the
Apostolic See's solicitude for the formation of those who are called to Holy Orders as
well as for the promotion and organization of Catholic education. It is competent for all
that pertains to the formation of clerics and the Catholic education both of clerics and
of the laity.
The Congregation has many functions and is charged
with the direction, discipline and temporal administration of seminaries and whatever
touches the education of the diocesan clergy and the scientific formation of religious and
secular institutes.
The Congregation oversees universities, faculties athenaea and any institute of higher
learning which has the name "Catholic" in so far as they depend on the authority
of the Church, not excluding those directed by religious or the laity.
The Congregation cares for the establishment of
parochial and diocesan schools; watches over all Catholic schools below the level of a
university and faculty, as well as all institutes of instruction or education dependent on
the authority of the Church.
Also within the Congregation is located the
Pontifical Work for Vocations, which is charged with coordinating and promoting the work
of fostering all ecclesiastical vocations.
TRIBUNALS
Judicial institutions of the Holy See
Apostolic
Penitentiary
Presided over by the Major
Penitentiary
Assisted by the
Regent
The competence of this Tribunal is concerned with
those matters which pertain to the internal
forum, for both the sacramental and non-sacramental internal forum. It is competent in
matters pertaining to the granting and use of indulgences.
Supreme Tribunal of
the Apostolic Signatura
Presided over by the
Prefect
Assisted by the Secretary
This department, in addition to the function which it
exercises as Supreme Tribunal, consults so that justice may be correctly administered in
the Church. With many functions, the Apostolic Signatura judges the matters assigned to it
in the Code of Canon Law; it extend the competence of tribunals; it extends the forum for
strangers in Rome to cases of matrimonial nullity in extraordinary circumstances and for
grave reasons; it supervises the proper administration of justice; it provides for the
establishment of regional and interregional tribunals; it enjoys the rights assigned to it
in concordats between the Holy See and the various nations. The Tribunal settles questions
about the exercise of administrative ecclesiastical power which are referred to it. It
also passes on conflicts of competence among the departments of the Holy See; it examines
administrative matters referred to it by the Congregations of the Roman Curia as well as
questions committed to it by the Holy Father.
Tribunal of the Roman Rota
Presided over by the Dean
This tribunal acts as a higher instance at the
Apostolic See, usually in the grade of appeal, for safeguarding rights in the Church; it
fosters the unity of jurisprudence and, through its own sentences, is a help to lower
tribunals. It is also a court of first instance for cases specified in the law and for
others committed to the Rota by the Roman Pontiff. The greater Part of its decisions
concern the nullity of marriage. In such cases its competence includes marriages between
two Catholics, between a Catholic and non-Catholic, and between two non-Catholic parties
whether one or both of the baptized parties belongs to a Latin or Oriental Rite.
PONTIFICAL COUNCILS
Pontifical Council for
the Laity
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the Secretary and
Undersecretary
This council is competent in those matters which
pertain to the Apostolic See in promoting and coordinating the apostolate of the lay
persons and, generally, in those things which look to the Christian life of lay persons as
such. The norms were published in the apostolic letter, "Catholicam Christi
Ecclesiam" of January 6, 1967 (AAS, LIX, pp. 25-28).
Pontifical Council for
Promoting Christian Unity
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the Secretary and
Undersecretary
The function of this Council is to concentrate in an
appropriate way on initiatives and ecumenical activities for the restoration of unity
among Christians. It has charge of relations with those of other communities; considers
the correct interpretation and observance of the principles of ecumenism; promotes
Catholic groups and coordinates the efforts at unity, both on the national and
international levels; institutes colloquies on ecumenical questions and activities with
Churches and ecclesial communities separated from the Holy See; deputes Catholic observers
for Christian congresses; invites to Catholic gatherings observers of the separated
brethren; orders into practice conciliar decrees on ecumenical matters. Furthermore, it is
competent for all questions concerning religious relations with Judaism.
Commission for
Religious Relations with Jews
Presided over as President
ex officio by the President of the Pontifical Council for
Promoting Christian Unity
Assisted by the Vice-President and Secretary of the Commission
This commission is responsible for all questions
concerning religious relations with Judaism.
Pontifical Council for
the Family
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the Secretary and
Undersecretary
This Council promotes the pastoral care of families
and fosters their rights and dignity in the Church and in civil society, in order that
they might ever more suitably fulfill their own functions.
Pontifical Council for
Justice and Peace
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the Secretary and
Undersecretary
This Council looks to those things which will promote
justice and peace in the world according to the gospel and the social teaching of the
Church.
Pontifical Council Cor
Unum (One Heart)
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the Secretary and
Undersecretary
This Council shows the solicitude of the Catholic
Church toward the needy, in order that human fraternity might be fostered and the charity
of Christ be made manifest.
Pontifical Council for
the Pastoral Care
of Migrants and Itinerant People
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the Secretary and
Undersecretary
This Council directs the pastoral concern of the
Church toward the special needs of those who are forced to leave their own native land or
who perhaps lack one; it also sees that there is appropriate study of the questions which
touch on this matter.
Pontifical Council for
Pastoral Assistance
to Health-Care Workers
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the Secretary and
Undersecretary
This Council shows the solicitude of the Church for
the sick by aiding those who carry out a ministry toward the sick and suffering, in order
that the apostolate of mercy, which they carry out, may ever more suitably respond to new
needs.
Pontifical
Council for the
Interpretation of Legislative Texts
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the Secretary and
Undersecretary
The function of this Council consists especially in
interpreting the Church's laws, especially the Code of Canon Law.
Pontifical
Council for Interreligious Dialogue
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the Secretary and
Undersecretary
This Council fosters and moderates relations with
members and bodies of religions which do not carry the name of Christian, as well as with
those who in any way possess a religious spirit. It fosters studies and promotes relations
with non-Christians to bring about an increase in mutual respect and seeks ways to
establish a dialogue with them; it receives and carefully weighs the wishes of the
Ordinaries; it provides for the formation of those who participate in dialogue.
Commission for
Religious Relations with Muslims
Presided over as President
ex officio by the President of the Pontifical Council for
Interreligious Dialogue
Assisted by the Vice-President and Secretary of the Commission
Pontifical Council for
Culture
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the Secretary and
Undersecretary
The Council embodies the Church's pastoral concern
over the relationship between faith and cultures. Its tasks include: studying unbelief and
religious indifference, as present in different cultures; supporting the Church's
inculturation of the Gospel; promotion initiatives of dialogue between faith and culture,
as well as dialogue with those who do not believe in God. Its activities include seminars,
intercultural exchanges, and coordinating the activities of Pontifical Academies and the
Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Patrimony of the Church. An important hope of the
Council is to show faith as the inspiration of science, literature and the arts.
Pontifical
Council for Social Communications
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the Secretary and
Undersecretary
This Council is involved in questions touching on the
instruments of social communication so that the proclamation of salvation and human
progress might be promoted even through them in order to foster civil culture.
OFFICES
Apostolic Camera
Presided over by the Camerlengo
(Chamberlain) of the Holy Roman Church
The Apostolic Camera is presided over by the cardinal
chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church, assisted by the vice-chamberlain together with
certain prelates chamberlain. It chiefly exercises the function which is given to it in
the special law on the vacancy of the Apostolic See.
Administration of the
Patrimony of the Apostolic See
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the Secretary
This Office is competent to administer the goods
proper to the Holy See, the income from which is destined to support the expenditures
necessary for the functions of the Roman Curia.
Extraordinary Section: Handles the duties committed to it by the Sovereign Pontiff.
Prefecture for
the Economic Affairs of the Holy See
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the Secretary
The Prefecture has the function of supervising and
governing the administration of goods which belong to the Holy See or is in charge of, no
matter what kind of autonomy they may perhaps enjoy. This is directed by a Commission of
three Cardinals and coordinates and watches over the administration of the possessions of
the Holy See. It receives the reports on the receipts and disbursements of the Church's
goods and the various budgets.
Prefecture of the
Papal Household
Presided over by the Prefect
The Prefecture looks after the internal order of the
pontifical household and supervises everything which pertains to discipline and service
either by clergy or laity who constitute the pontifical chapel and family. It is in charge
of the Apostolic Palace and is at the service of the Holy Father, both there and wherever
he goes. It arranges audiences with His Holiness and supervises papal ceremonies other
than the strictly liturgical.
Office for the
Liturgical Celebrations
of the Supreme Pontiff
Presided over by the Master of
Papal Ceremonies
This Office prepares whatever is necessary for
liturgical and other sacred celebrations which are carried out by the Supreme Pontiff or
in his name and, in keeping with existing prescription of liturgical law.
Press Office of the Holy See
Presided over by the
Director
Assisted by the
Vice-Director
The Press Office coordinates press contacts and
publishes official news regarding the activities of the Holy Father and those of the
different departments of the Holy See. Speeches, messages and various documents, as well
as the position statements issued by the director, are published in their entirety.
Vatican Information Service
Presided over by the Bureau Chief
The V.I.S. is an information service of the Holy See
Press Office which furnishes information on the pastoral and magisterial activity of the
Holy Father and the Holy See. It deals primarily with the acts and nominations of the Holy
Father; syntheses of his homilies and speeches, presentations and communications relative
to documents written by the Holy Father or departments of the Apostolic See, Holy See
activities (congregations, councils, synods, etc.); and communiqués and positions taken
by the Holy See normally made public through the Press Office.
COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
Pontifical
Commission for the
Cultural Heritage of the Church
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the
Secretary and
Undersecretary
Pontifical
Commission for Sacred Archaeology
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the
Secretary
Pontifical Biblical
Commission
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the
Secretary
Pontifical Commission for
the Revision
and Emendation of the Vulgate
Presided over by the
Director
Pontifical
Commission Ecclesia Dei
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the Actuary
The goals of the commission are to collaborate with bishops, with the
dicasteries of the Roman Curia and with other interested circles in order to facilitate
the full ecclesial communion of priests, seminarians, communities or individual men and
women religious linked, to date, in various ways, to the Fraternity founded by Msgr.
Lefebvre who desire to remain united to the Successor of Peter in the Catholic Church
International
Theological Commission
President over as President
ex officio by the Prefect of the Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith
Assisted by the
General Secretary
Pontifical
Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the
Secretary
Pontifical
Committee of Historical Sciences
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the
Secretary
Committee for the Great
Jubilee of the Year 2000
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the General
Secretary
Pontifical Swiss
Guard
Presided over by the
Captain Commandant
Assisted by a
Lieutenant
The main purpose of the guards is the protection of
the Pope. The Guard is required to be fully versed in the most modern techniques of
security and protection.
INSTITUTIONS CONNECTED WITH THE HOLY SEE
Vatican Secret
Archives
Presided over by the
Archivist
Assisted by the
Prefect and
Vice-Prefect
This institution along with the Vatican Library are
responsible for the guardianship of much of the greatest treasures of the modern era.
These include original manuscripts form our greatest authors and documents and historic
memorabilia from the most important events in history.
Vatican Apostolic
Library
Presided over by the
Librarian
Assisted by the
Prefect
The earliest origins of the Papal library are lost in
antiquity, but practically nothing has remained of this period. The modern period begins
with Nicholas V (1447-1455), humanist and founder of a notable private collection which
has to form the first nucleus of the present library. Sixtus IV gave juridical form to the
library conceived by Nicholas V with the bull Ad decorem militantis ecclesiae of
15 June 1475. As of 1 January 1996 the patrimony of the library included 1,600,000 printed
books, 8,300 incunabula (of which 65 printed on vellum), 150,000 manuscript volumes,
100,000 prints and engravings, 300,000 coins and medals, and 20,000 objects of art.
Vatican
Press(Vatican Polyglot)
Presided over by the Director-General
The official printing plant of the Holy See. Called
polyglot (many tongues) from the 30+ languages in which it publishes.
L'Osservatore Romano
President over by the
Editor-in-Chief
Assisted by the
Editors of the weekly language editions (French, English, Spanish,
Portuguese and German), and the Polish-language monthly
The semi-offical newspaper of the Holy See, published
daily in Italian and weekly in 6 other languages. It carries the entire text of all the
public addresses of the Holy Father, the texts of major papal and curial documents and
articles by approved authors. In the US the weekly English edition is published and
distributed for the Holy See by the Cathedral Foundation (410) 547-5380.
Vatican Publishing
House
Libreria Editrice Vaticana)
Presided over by the
Chairman
Assisted by the Director
Publishes and distributes (as opposed to prints) the
liturgical, Magisterial and other documents of the Holy See.
Vatican Radio
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the Director-General
Vatican Television Centre
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the Director-General
The aim of the Vatican Television Center (CTV) is to contribute to spreading the
Good News of the Gospel by using television to document the Pope's pastoral ministry and
the activity of the Apostolic See.
Office of Papal
Charities
Presided over by the Almoner of His Holiness
This agency distributes funds to persons in need in
and around Rome and throughout the world.
Labour Office of
the Apostolic See
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the Vice-President
Responsible for labor relations of the Holy See with
its employees. Settles labor issues which arise. Instituted by Pope John Paul II in 1989.
Central Statistics
Office
Compiles, systematizes and analyzes
information on the status and condition of the Church. Attached to the Secretariate of
State
ACADEMIES
Pontifical Academy of
Science
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the
Director
The precursor to the actual Pontifical Academy of
Sciences was the Linceorum Academia, which was founded in Rome in 1603 and which,
after some vicissitudes, was named Pontificia Academia dei Nuovi Lincei by Pius
IX in 1847. It was enlargened by Leo XIII in 1887, and in 1936 it received its current
name from Pius XI. Currently it is the only academy of sciences of a supranational
character which exists in the world. It has as its scope: to pay honor to pure science,
wherever it is found, and to assure its freedom and to promote its research, which
constitute the indispensable basis for progress in science. This academy is directly
responsible to the Holy Father. It is composed of 80 academicians who are named by the
pope. The academic body selects names, without discriminating in any way, among the most
illustrious devotees of mathematical and experimental sciences of every country, and then
proposes them to the pope. Added to these 80 academicians are the "perdurante
munere" academicians, chosen by reason of their office, and honorary academicians, by
reason of their merits towards the academy.
Pontifical
Academy of Social Science
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the
Chancellary Director
The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences was founded
by John Paul II in January 1994, with the Motu Proprio Socialum Scientiarum. Its
objective, says Article 1 of its statutes, is "to promote the study and progress of
social, economic, political and juridical sciences in the light of the social doctrine of
the Church." The academy is autonomous and at the same time, maintains a very close
relationship with the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, with which it coordinates
the planning of various initiatives. Its academicians are also named by the pope and their
number cannot be fewer than 20, nor more than 40. Currently there are 31 members who come
from 24 countries throughout the world, without distinction to religious denomination, and
who are chosen for their high level of competency in some of the diverse social
disciplines.
Pontifical Academy for Life
Presided over by the
President
Assisted by the Vice-President
With his Motu Proprio Vitae Mysterium of
February 11, 1994, John Paul II instituted the Pontifical Academy for Life. Its objectives
are the study, information and formation on the principal problems of biomedicine and of
law, relative to the promotion and defense of life, above all in the direct relation that
they have with Christian morality and the directives of the Church's Magisterium. To
achieve these objectives, the Vitae Mysterium Foundation was instituted in October 1994.
The academy for life is autonomous and is linked to the Pontifical Council for Pastoral
Assistance to Health Care Workers and various other dicasteries of the Roman Curia
committed to the service of life. Seventy members named by the pope, who represent
different branches of biomedical sciences and those which are closely linked with problems
concerning the promotion and defense of life, belong to the academy.
VATICAN CITY STATE - Stato della Città de
Vaticano
Presided over by the
Governor
The territorial seat of the Roman
Pontiff, established by concordat (the Lateran Treaty) with Italy in 1927 (revised in
1985). It is the smallest sovereign state in the world (108.7 acres). In addition to
Vatican City the State includes certain extra-territorial properties in Italy belonging to
the Holy See (Major Basilicas, Curial and diocesan offices, Castel Gandolpho). The Pope is
the Head of State, though he governs through the Pontifical Commission for the State of
Vatican City. The Gubernator manages the day to day affairs of the State.
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