View source for Holy See

{{Short description|Jurisdiction of the Catholic Church and Vatican City}}
{{About|the city-state's government|the city-state in Europe|Vatican City}}
{{pp-move}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}{{Use Oxford spelling|date = January 2025}}
{{Infobox geopolitical organization
| conventional_long_name = Holy See
| native_name            = {{ubl|{{native name|la|Sancta Sedes}}|{{native name|it|Santa Sede}}}}
| linking_name           = 
| image_flag             = Flag of Vatican City (2023–present).svg
| flag_width             = 120
| flag_type              = Flag of Vatican City and of the Holy See
| flag_type_article      = Flag of Vatican City
| image_coat             = Coat of Arms of the Holy See (red).svg
| symbol_width           = 120px
| symbol_type            = Coat of arms of the Holy See
| symbol_type_article    = Coat of arms of the Holy See
| coa_size               = 70
| national_anthem        = {{native name|it|[[Pontifical Anthem|Inno e Marcia Pontificale]]}}<br />"Pontifical Anthem and March"<div style="padding-top:0.5em;">{{center| }}</div>[[File:United States Navy Band - Inno e Marcia Pontificale.ogg|noicon|center]]
| coordinates            = {{Coord|41|54.2|N|12|27.2|E|type:city|display=inline, title}}
| org_type               = [[Apostolic see|Apostolic]]{{Notetag|[[Episcopal see]] of the [[Bishop in the Catholic Church|Bishop]] of Rome, the Pope, head of the worldwide [[Catholic Church]].}}<br>[[Theocracy]]{{Notetag|The Pope as [[head of state]] or [[sovereign]] of the [[Vatican City|Vatican City State]].}}
| admin_center_type      = [[Ecclesiastical jurisdiction]]
| admin_center           = [[Diocese of Rome]]
[[Catholic Church by country|Worldwide]]{{efn|name=jurisdiction|[[Universal jurisdiction|Universal]] [[full communion]], [[Latin Church]], [[Catholic Church]].}}
| demonym                = Papal<br>Pontifical
| religion               = [[Catholic Church]]
| patron_saint           = [[Saint Peter|Peter]]
| leader_title1          = [[Pope]]
| leader_name1           = {{Incumbent pope}}
| leader_title2          = [[Cardinal Secretary of State]]
| leader_name2           = [[Pietro Parolin]]
| leader_title3          = [[Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church]]
| leader_name3           = [[Kevin Farrell]]
| leader_title4          = [[Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State|President of the Governorate of Vatican City]]
| leader_name4           = [[Raffaella Petrini]]
| sovereignty_type       = [[Sovereignty|Sovereign entity]] under [[international law]]
| established_event1     = [[Apostolic see]]
| established_date1      = [[Christianity in the 1st century|1st century]] by [[Saint Peter]]<br /><small>("[[Primacy of Peter|Prince of the Apostles]]")</small>
| established_event2     = [[Papal primacy]]
| established_date2      = [[Early Church]] – [[Classical antiquity|Antiquity]]<br /><small>([[Canon law of the Catholic Church|Canon law]]; [[Legal history of the Catholic Church|legal history]])</small>
| established_event3     = [[Donation of Sutri]]
| established_date3      = 728 <small>(territory in [[Duchy of Rome]] by [[Lombards|Lombard]] [[List of kings of the Lombards|King]] [[Liutprand, King of the Lombards|Liutprand]])</small>
| established_event4     = [[Donation of Pepin]]
| established_date4      = 756 <small>([[sovereignty]] in Duchy of Rome reaffirmed by [[Franks|Frankish]] [[List of Frankish kings|King]] [[Pepin the Short|Pepin]])</small>
| established_event5     = [[Papal States]]
| established_date5      = 756–1870<br /><small>1075: ''[[Dictatus papae]]''<br>1177: [[Treaty of Venice]] (sovereignty reaffirmed by Emperor [[Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick I]] of the [[Holy Roman Empire]])</small>
| established_event6     = [[Prisoner in the Vatican]]
| established_date6      = 1870–1929<br /><small>(under the [[Kingdom of Italy]])</small>
| established_event7     = [[Vatican City]]
| established_date7      = 1929–<br /><small>([[Lateran Treaty]] with Italy)</small>
| official_website       = {{URL|https://www.vatican.va/}}
| official_languages     = [[Ecclesiastical Latin|Latin]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/holy_see-saint-siege/about-a_propos.aspx?lang=eng |title=About the Holy See |date=20 July 2022 |access-date=17 October 2022 |archive-date=17 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017121907/https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/holy_see-saint-siege/about-a_propos.aspx?lang=eng |url-status=live }}</ref>
| languages2_type        = [[Working language]]
| languages2             = [[Italian language|Italian]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6eJJAQAAMAAJ&q=italian.diplomatic.language+holy+see&pg=PP3
|title=Background Notes, the Holy See |year=1995 |access-date=11 October 2021 |archive-date=10 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310114713/https://books.google.com/books?id=6eJJAQAAMAAJ&q=italian.diplomatic.language+holy+see&pg=PP3#v=snippet&q=italian.diplomatic.language%20holy%20see&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>
| government_type        = Unitary [[theocratic]] Catholic [[elective monarchy|elective absolute monarchy]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/StateDepartments/index.htm |title=Internet portal of Vatican City State |publisher=Vatican City State |access-date = 9 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524030947/http://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/StateDepartments/index.htm |archive-date = 24 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="factbook" /><ref>Robbers, Gerhard (2006) [https://books.google.com/books?id=M3A-xgf1yM4C&pg=PA1009 ''Encyclopedia of World Constitutions''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204143029/https://books.google.com/books?id=M3A-xgf1yM4C&pg=PA1009 |date=4 December 2022 }}. Infobase Publishing. {{ISBN|978-0-81606078-8}}. p.&nbsp;1009.</ref><ref>Nick Megoran (2009) [http://www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/nick.megoran/pdf/theocracy.pdf "Theocracy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309220023/https://www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/nick.megoran/pdf/theocracy.pdf |date=9 March 2016 }}, p. 226 in ''International Encyclopedia of Human Geography'', vol. 11, Elsevier {{ISBN|978-0-08-044911-1}}</ref>
| footnote_a             = 
}}

The '''Holy See'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=the Holy See |url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/holy-see |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111135945/https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/holy-see |archive-date=2024-01-11 |website=[[Cambridge Dictionary]]}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=the Holy See |url=https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/the-holy-see#:~:text=%C3%B0%C9%99%20%CB%8Ch%C9%99%CA%8Ali%20%CB%88si%CB%90%2F-,%2F%C3%B0%C9%99%20%CB%8Ch%C9%99%CA%8Ali%20%CB%88si%CB%90%2F,Oxford%20Advanced%20Learner's%20Dictionary%20app. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111140254/https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/the-holy-see |archive-date=2024-01-11 |website=[[Oxford English Dictionary|Oxford Learners Dictionaries]]}}</ref> ({{langx|la|Sancta Sedes|lit=Holy Chair}},<ref>{{cite web |date=28 January 2024 |title=the Holy See (Catholic Encyclopedia) |url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07424b.htm?lang=eng |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128062041/https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07424b.htm?lang=eng |archive-date=28 January 2024 |access-date=28 January 2024}}</ref> {{IPA|la-x-church|ˈsaŋkta ˈsedes|lang|link=yes}}; {{langx|it|Santa Sede}} {{IPA|it|ˈsanta ˈsɛːde|}}), also called the '''See of Rome''', the '''Petrine See''' or the '''Apostolic See''',<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Livingstone |first=Elizabeth A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3wksAQAAMAAJ |title=The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church |date=2006 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-861442-5 |edition=2nd |pages=33 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310114658/https://books.google.com/books?id=3wksAQAAMAAJ |archive-date=10 March 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=9 February 2024 }}</ref> is the central governing body of the [[Catholic Church]] and [[Vatican City]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-19 |title=Holy See {{!}} Definition, Roman Catholicism, History, Governance, Vatican, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Holy-See |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=[[Encyclopedia Britannica]] |language=en}}</ref> It encompasses the office of the [[pope]] as the [[Bishops in the Catholic Church|bishop]] of the [[apostolic see|apostolic episcopal see]] of [[Diocese of Rome|Rome]], and serves as the spiritual and administrative authority of the worldwide Catholic Church and Vatican City.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Holy See (10/05) |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/holysee/55610.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120033318/https://2009-2017.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/holysee/55610.htm |archive-date=2024-01-20 |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=U.S. Department of State}}</ref> Under [[international law]], the [[Legal status of the Holy See|Holy See holds the status of a sovereign juridical entity]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Holy See |url=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/holy-see/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111133638/https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/holy-see/ |archive-date=2024-01-11 |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=[[United States Department of State]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

According to [[Sacred tradition|Catholic tradition]] and historical records, the Holy See was founded in the first century by [[Saint Peter]] and [[Paul the Apostle|Saint Paul]]. By virtue of the doctrines of [[Primacy of Peter|Petrine]] and [[papal primacy|papal]] primacy, it is the focal point of [[full communion]] for Catholics around the world.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Holmes |first=J. Derek |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ikAbAAAAIAAJ |title=The Triumph of the Holy See: A Short History of the Papacy in the Nineteenth Century |date=1978 |publisher=[[Burns & Oates]] |isbn=978-7-80186-160-3 |pages=142 |language=en |access-date=20 February 2024 |archive-date=10 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310114707/https://books.google.com/books?id=ikAbAAAAIAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Holy See is headquartered in, operates from, and exercises "exclusive dominion" over Vatican City, an independent [[city-state]] enclaved in [[Rome]], and of which the pope is the [[head of state]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Holy See, The country brief |url=https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/holy-see/holy-see-the-country-brief |website=Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Government of Australia) |access-date=20 February 2024 |archive-date=20 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220143217/https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/holy-see/holy-see-the-country-brief |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Holy See is administered by the [[Roman Curia]], which are the central institutions assisting the pope and through which the affairs of the Catholic Church are conducted.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P19.HTM|title=Code of Canon Law: text – IntraText CT|website=www.intratext.com|accessdate=5 March 2023|archive-date=2 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002030552/http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P19.HTM|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="pmid12178005" /> The Roman Curia includes [[Dicastery|dicasteries]], comparable to ministries and executive departments. The [[Cardinal Secretary of State]] is its chief administrator. [[Papal conclave|Papal elections]] are carried out by members of the [[College of Cardinals]].

Although the Holy See is often [[Metonymy|metonymically]] referred to as the "'''Vatican'''", the Vatican City State was distinctively established with the [[Lateran Treaty]] of 1929, agreed between the Holy See and Italy, to ensure the [[Temporal power of the Holy See|temporal]], diplomatic, and spiritual independence of the papacy.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lateran Treaty {{!}} Italy [1929] |url=https://www.britannica.com/event/Lateran-Treaty|access-date=25 January 2022|website=Britannica |language=en|archive-date=17 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117022746/https://www.britannica.com/event/Lateran-Treaty|url-status=live}}</ref> As such, [[Nuncio|papal nuncios]], who are papal diplomats to states and international organizations, are recognized as representing the Holy See and ''not'' the Vatican City State, as prescribed in the [[Canon law of the Catholic Church]]. The Holy See is thus viewed as the central government of the Catholic Church and Vatican City.<ref name="pmid12178005">{{cite journal |author=United States. Department of State. Bureau of Public Affairs |title=The Holy See. |journal=Backgr Notes Ser |year=1989 |pages=1–4 |pmid=12178005 |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12178005 |access-date=28 August 2023 |archive-date=23 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123110941/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12178005/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Catholic Church is the largest non-government provider of [[Catholic school|education]] and [[Catholic Church and health care|health care]] in the world.<ref name="Geopolitics">{{cite journal |last=Agnew |first=John |title=Deus Vult: The Geopolitics of Catholic Church |journal=Geopolitics |date=12 February 2010 |volume=15 |issue=1 |pages=39–61 |doi=10.1080/14650040903420388 |s2cid=144793259}}</ref>

The [[foreign relations of the Holy See|Holy See maintains bilateral diplomatic relations]] with 180 sovereign states, signs [[concordat]]s and treaties, and performs multilateral diplomacy with multiple [[intergovernmental organization]]s, including the [[United Nations]] and its agencies, the [[Council of Europe]], the [[European Communities]], the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]], and the [[Organization of American States]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/documents/rc_seg-st_doc_20020422_tauran_en.html |title=Holy See's Presence in the International Organizations |website=The Holy See |access-date=3 September 2019 |archive-date=15 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140215051159/https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/documents/rc_seg-st_doc_20020422_tauran_en.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="fco">{{cite web |url=http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/europe/holy-see/ |title=Holy See |publisher=Foreign & Commonwealth Office |work=Travel & living abroad |access-date=5 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231084624/http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/europe/holy-see/ |archive-date=31 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Holy See – Observer |url=https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/holy-see |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Council of Europe |language=en-GB |archive-date=8 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008140454/https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/holy-see |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Terminology ==
[[File:Roma-san giovanni03.jpg|thumb|The papal throne ([[cathedra]]), in the apse of [[Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran]], symbolises the Holy See.]]

The word "see" comes from the Latin word {{lang|la|sedes}}, meaning 'seat', which refers to the [[Bishop|episcopal]] throne ([[cathedra]]). The term "[[Apostolic see|Apostolic See]]" can refer to any see founded by one of the Twelve Apostles. When used with the definite article, it is used in the Catholic Church to refer specifically to the see of the Bishop of Rome, whom that Church sees as the successor of Saint Peter.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11744a.htm|encyclopedia=Catholic Encyclopedia |title=St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles|publisher=newadvent.org|access-date=5 March 2023|archive-date=15 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915021152/http://newadvent.org/cathen/11744a.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> While [[St. Peter's Basilica]] in Vatican City is perhaps the church most associated with the papacy, the actual cathedral of the Holy See is the [[Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran]] in Rome.{{NoteTag|Although Saint John Lateran is legally within Rome, it is one of the properties of the Holy See granted [[extraterritorial privileges]].}}

In the Roman Catholic Church, only the see of the Pope bears the right to be addressed symbolically as "holy".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Direzione dell'Annuario Pontificio presso la Segreteria di Stato |title=Annuario Pontificio |publisher=Libreria Editrice Vatican |year=2012 |isbn=978-88-209-8522-6 |location=Stato Città del Vaticano |pages=11–1019 (cf. full list of the Catholic sees) |language=Italian}}</ref> There was one exception to this rule, represented by the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Mainz|Bishopric of Mainz]]. During the [[Holy Roman Empire]], the former [[Archbishopric of Mainz]], which was also of [[prince-elector|electoral]] and [[primate (bishop)|primatial]] rank, had the privilege to bear the title of "the Holy See of Mainz" (Latin: {{lang|la|Sancta Sedes Moguntina}}).<ref name="Kersting">{{cite book |last=Kersting |first=Hans |title=Mainz – tours on foot |year=2003 |publisher=Bayerische Verlagsanstalt |isbn=978-3-89889-078-6 |volume=4}}</ref>

== History ==
{{further|History of the papacy|Papal primacy|Temporal power (papal)}}According to Catholic tradition, the [[apostolic see]] of Diocese of Rome was established in the [[Christianity in the 1st century|1st century]] by Saint Peter and [[Saint Paul]]. In 313, the legal status of the Catholic Church and its property was recognised by the [[Edict of Milan]], by [[Roman emperor]] [[Constantine the Great and Christianity|Constantine the Great]]. In 380, it became the [[state church of the Roman Empire]] via the [[Edict of Thessalonica]], by Emperor [[Theodosius I]].

After the [[fall of the Western Roman Empire]] in 476, the temporal [[Legal history of the Catholic Church|legal jurisdisction]] of the [[papal primacy]] was further recognised as promulgated in [[Canon law of the Catholic Church|Canon law]]. In 728, the Holy See was granted territory in the [[Duchy of Rome]] by the [[Donation of Sutri]] by [[List of kings of the Lombards|King]] [[Liutprand, King of the Lombards|Liutprand]] of the [[Lombards]]. In 756, it was granted [[sovereignty]] by the territorial [[Donation of Pepin]], by [[List of Frankish kings|King]] [[Pepin the Short|Pepin]] of the [[Franks]].

From 756 to 1870, the [[Papal States]] held extensive territory and armed forces. In 800, [[Pope Leo III]] [[Coronation of the Holy Roman Emperor|crowned]] [[Charlemagne]] as [[Holy Roman Emperor|Roman Emperor]] by ''[[translatio imperii]]''. The Pope's [[Temporal power (papal)|temporal power]] peaked around the time of the [[papal coronation]]s of the emperors of the [[Holy Roman Empire]] from 858, and the ''[[Dictatus papae]]'' in 1075, which conversely also described [[Papal deposing power]]. Several modern states trace their own sovereignty to recognition in medieval papal bulls.

The sovereignty of the Holy See was retained despite multiple [[Sack of Rome (disambiguation)|sacks of Rome]] during the Early Middle Ages. Relations with the [[Kingdom of Italy (Holy Roman Empire)|Kingdom of Italy]] and the Holy Roman Empire were at times strained, reaching from the ''[[Diploma Ottonianum]]'' and ''[[Libellus de imperatoria potestate in urbe Roma]]'' regarding the "[[Patrimony of Saint Peter]]" in the 10th century, to the [[Investiture Controversy]] in 1076–1122, and settled again by the [[Concordat of Worms]] in 1122.

The exiled [[Avignon Papacy]] during 1309–1376 also put a strain on the papacy, which returned to Rome. In 1648, [[Pope Innocent X]] was critical of the [[Peace of Westphalia]], as it weakened the authority of the Holy See throughout much of Europe. From 1798 to 1799, following the [[French Revolution]], the Papal States were briefly occupied as the "[[Roman Republic (18th century)|Roman Republic]]", as a [[sister republic]] of the [[First French Empire]] under [[Napoleon and the Catholic Church|Napoleon]], before their territory was reestablished.

The Holy See was represented in and identified as a "permanent subject of general customary international law vis-à-vis all states" in the [[Congress of Vienna]] (1814–1815).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.open-diplomacy.eu/blog/moral-diplomacy-of-the-holy-see-multi-level-diplomacy-of-a-tr |title='Moral Diplomacy' of the Holy See: Multi-Level Diplomacy of a Transnational Actor |access-date=14 September 2018 |archive-date=14 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914132318/http://www.open-diplomacy.eu/blog/moral-diplomacy-of-the-holy-see-multi-level-diplomacy-of-a-tr |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Papal States were recognised under the rule of the Papacy and largely restored to their former extent. Despite the [[Capture of Rome]] in 1870 by the [[Kingdom of Italy]] and the [[Roman Question]] during the [[Vatican during the Savoyard era (1870–1929)|Savoyard era]], which made the Pope a "[[prisoner in the Vatican]]" from 1870 to 1929, its international legal subject was "constituted by the ongoing reciprocity of diplomatic relationships" that not only were maintained but multiplied.

In 1929, the [[Lateran Treaty]] between the Holy See and Italy recognised Vatican City as an independent [[city-state]], along with extraterritorial [[Properties of the Holy See|properties around the region]]. Since then, Vatican City is distinct from yet under "full ownership, exclusive [[dominion]], and [[sovereignty|sovereign authority]] and [[jurisdiction]]" of the Holy See ({{langx|la|Sancta Sedes}}).{{NoteTag|The Holy See is the central governing body of the Catholic Church and a sovereign entity recognized by international law, consisting of the Pope and the [[Roman Curia]]. It is also commonly referred to as "the Vatican", especially when used as a [[metonym]] for the [[hierarchy of the Catholic Church]].}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-13 |title=Treaty Between the Holy See and Italy |url=https://www.rightofassembly.info/assets/downloads/1929_Lateran_Treaty.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113124504/https://www.rightofassembly.info/assets/downloads/1929_Lateran_Treaty.pdf |archive-date=2024-01-13 |website=rightofassembly.info |at=Article 03}}</ref>

== Organization ==
{{Catholic Church sidebar| Organisation}}
{{main|Roman Curia}}

The Holy See is one of the last remaining seven [[Absolute monarchy|absolute monarchies]] in the world, along with [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Eswatini]], [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Qatar]], [[Brunei]] and [[Oman]].<ref name="factbook">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/holy-see-vatican-city/ |title=CIA's factbook Vatican State |date=16 February 2022 |access-date=25 January 2021 |archive-date=26 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126204237/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/holy-see-vatican-city/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vaticanstate.va/content/vaticanstate/en/stato-e-governo.html |title=State and Government |website=www.vaticanstate.va |access-date=1 April 2018 |archive-date=31 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180331104125/http://www.vaticanstate.va/content/vaticanstate/en/stato-e-governo.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://storiesofworld.com/people-seven-nations-live-absolute-monarchy-click-know-nations/ |title=These 7 nations are ruled by an absolute monarchy! |date=22 December 2015 |work=Stories of World|access-date=1 April 2018 |language=en-US|archive-date=2 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402101211/https://storiesofworld.com/people-seven-nations-live-absolute-monarchy-click-know-nations/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Pope governs the Catholic Church through the [[Roman Curia]]. The Curia is a complex of offices that administer church affairs at the highest level, including the [[Secretariat of State (Vatican)|Secretariat of State]], nine [[Congregation (Roman Curia)|Congregations]], three [[Ecclesiastical court|Tribunals]], eleven Pontifical Councils, and seven Pontifical Commissions.

The Secretariat of State, under the [[Cardinal Secretary of State]], directs and coordinates the Curia. The incumbent, Cardinal Pietro Parolin,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://attualita.vatican.va/sala-stampa/bollettino/2013/08/31/news/31610.html |title=Dichiarazione Di S.E. Mons. Pietro Parolin in Occasione della sua Nomina a Segretario di Stato |access-date=28 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922060821/http://attualita.vatican.va/sala-stampa/bollettino/2013/08/31/news/31610.html |archive-date=22 September 2013}}</ref> is the See's equivalent of a prime minister. [[Archbishop]] [[Paul Gallagher (bishop)|Paul Gallagher]], Secretary of the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State, acts as the Holy See's [[minister of foreign affairs]]. Parolin was named in his role by Pope Francis on 31 August 2013.

[[File:Vatican City map EN.svg|thumb|[[Vatican City]], the Holy See's sovereign territory]]
The Secretariat of State is the only body of the Curia that is situated within Vatican City. The others are in buildings in different parts of Rome that have extraterritorial rights similar to those of embassies.

Among the most active of the major Curial institutions are the [[Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith]], which oversees the Catholic Church's 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.

Three tribunals exercise judicial power. The [[Roman Rota]] handles normal judicial appeals, the most numerous being those that concern alleged nullity of marriage.<ref>[https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P5G.HTM Code of Canon Law, canons 1443–1444] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100108061657/https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P5G.HTM |date=8 January 2010 }}. The Holy See. Retrieved 11 September 2011.</ref> The [[Apostolic Signatura]] is the supreme appellate and administrative court concerning decisions even of the [[Roman Rota]] and administrative decisions of ecclesiastical superiors (bishops and superiors of [[religious institute]]s), such as closing a parish or removing someone from office. It also oversees the work of other ecclesiastical tribunals at all levels.<ref>[https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P5G.HTM Code of Canon Law, canon 1445] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100108061657/https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P5G.HTM |date=8 January 2010 }}. The Holy See. Retrieved 11 September 2011.</ref>

The [[Apostolic Penitentiary]] deals with matters of conscience, granting absolutions from [[censure#Canon law|censures]], dispensations, commutations, validations, condonations, and other favors. It also grants [[indulgences]].<ref>[https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_19880628_pastor-bonus-roman-curia_en.html ''Pastor bonus'', articles 117–120] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010223175311/https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_19880628_pastor-bonus-roman-curia_en.html |date=23 February 2001 }}. The Vatican. (28 June 1988). Retrieved 11 September 2011.</ref>

The [[Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See]] coordinates the finances of the Holy See departments and supervises the administration of all offices, whatever be their degree of autonomy, that manage these finances. The most important of these is the [[Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See]].

The [[Prefecture of the Papal Household]] is responsible for the organization of the papal household, audiences, and ceremonies, apart from the strictly [[Catholic liturgy|liturgical]] part.

Pope Francis reorganized the Curia to prioritize its role in the church's mission to evangelize. This reform insisted that the Curia is not meant to be a centralized bureaucracy, but a service for the Pope and diocesan bishops that is in communication with local bishops' conferences.&nbsp;Likewise more lay people are to be involved in the workings of the dicasteries and in giving them input.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pogorelc |first=Anthony |title=Vatican |publisher=SAGE Encyclopedia of the Sociology of Religion. |year=2020 |location=Print}}</ref>

The Holy See does not dissolve upon a pope's death or resignation. It instead operates under a different set of laws ''[[sede vacante]]''. During this [[interregnum]], the heads of the dicasteries of the Curia, such as the prefects of congregations, cease immediately to hold office. The only exceptions are the [[Major Penitentiary]], who continues his important role regarding absolutions and dispensations, and the [[Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church]], who administers the [[temporalities]] (''i.e.'', properties and finances) of the See of St. Peter during this period. The government of the See, and therefore of the Catholic Church, then falls to the [[College of Cardinals]]. [[Canon law (Catholic Church)|Canon law]] prohibits the [[College of Cardinals|College]] and the Camerlengo from introducing any innovations or novelties in the government of the church during this period.

In 2001, the Holy See had a revenue of 422.098&nbsp;billion [[Italian lire]], about US$202&nbsp;million at the time, and a net income of 17.720&nbsp;billion Italian lire, about US$8&nbsp;million.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080828074951/http://www.zenit.org/article-1900?l=english "Economic Report of the Holy See for 2000"] Zenit 6 July 2001</ref> According to an article by David Leigh in the ''Guardian'' newspaper, a 2012 report from the Council of Europe identified the value of a section of the Vatican's property assets as an amount in excess of €680m (£570m). In January 2013, Paolo Mennini, a papal official in Rome, managed this portion of the Holy See's assets—consisting of British investments, other European holdings and a currency trading arm. The ''Guardian'' newspaper described Mennini and his role in the following manner: "...&nbsp;Paolo Mennini, who is in effect the Pope's [[merchant bank]]er. Mennini heads a special unit inside the Vatican called the extraordinary division of APSA – ''Amministrazione del Patrimonio della Sede Apostolica'' – which handles the 'patrimony of the Holy See'."<ref>{{cite news |title=How the Vatican built a secret property empire using Mussolini's millions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jan/21/vatican-secret-property-empire-mussolini |access-date=23 January 2013 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=21 January 2013 |author=David Leigh |archive-date=2 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202103311/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jan/21/vatican-secret-property-empire-mussolini |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[orders, decorations, and medals of the Holy See]] are conferred by the Pope as temporal sovereign and ''[[fons honorum]]'' of the Holy See, similar to the orders awarded by other [[heads of state]].

== Status in international law ==
{{Main|Legal status of the Holy See}}
The Holy See has been recognized, both in state practice and in the writing of modern legal scholars, as a subject of [[public international law]], with rights and duties analogous to those of [[Sovereign state|States]]. Although the Holy See, as distinct from the Vatican City State, does not fulfill the long-established criteria in international law of [[Sovereign state|statehood]]—having a permanent population, a defined territory, a stable government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states<ref>These criteria for statehood were first authoritatively enunciated at the [[Montevideo Convention]] on Rights and Duties of States, signed by American states on 26 December 1933.</ref>—its possession of full legal personality in [[international law]] is shown by the fact that it maintains [[diplomatic relations]] with 180<ref name="DipRel">{{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/documents/rc_seg-st_20010123_holy-see-relations_en.html |title=Bilateral and Multilateral Relations of the Holy See, update on October 22, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709142833/https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/documents/rc_seg-st_20010123_holy-see-relations_en.html |archive-date=9 July 2014}}</ref> states, that it is a ''member-state''<ref>e.g. [http://www.iaea.org/About/Policy/MemberStates/ IAEA] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212170611/http://www.iaea.org/About/Policy/MemberStates/ |date=12 December 2007 }}, [http://www.osce.org/who/83 OSCE] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708145624/http://www.osce.org/who/83 |date=8 July 2014 }}, [http://www.iom.int/cms/en/sites/iom/home/about-iom-1/members-and-observers/governments/member-states.html IOM] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212170611/http://www.iaea.org/About/Policy/MemberStates/ |date=12 December 2007 }}</ref> in various [[Intergovernmental organizations|intergovernmental international organizations]], and that it is: "respected by the international community of sovereign States and treated as a subject of international law having the capacity to engage in diplomatic relations and to enter into binding agreements with one, several, or many states under [[international law]] that are largely geared to establish and preserving peace in the world."<ref>[[Robert Araujo (Jurist)|Robert Araujo]] and John Lucal, Papal Diplomacy and the Quest for Peace, the Vatican and International Organizations from the early years to the [[League of Nations]], Sapienza Press (2004), {{ISBN|1-932589-01-5}}, p. 16. ''See also'' James Crawford, The Creation of States in International Law, (1979) p. 154.</ref>

=== Diplomacy ===
{{main|Foreign relations of the Holy See}}
{{further|Diplomatic missions of the Holy See|Holy See and the United Nations|Multilateral foreign policy of the Holy See}}

[[File:Holy See relations.svg|thumb|upright=2.25|Foreign relations with the Holy See: {{legend|#008000|Diplomatic relations}}
{{legend|#00ff00|Other relations}}
{{legend|#999999|No relations}}]]

Since [[medieval]] times the episcopal see of Rome has been recognized as a sovereign entity. The Holy See (not the State of Vatican City) maintains formal diplomatic relations with and for the most recent establishment of diplomatic relations with {{Numrec|Holy See|N=3|link=N}} sovereign states,<ref name="DipRel" /> and also with the [[European Union]], and the [[Sovereign Military Order of Malta]], as well as having relations of a special character with the [[Palestine Liberation Organization]];<ref>[https://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/documentazione/documents/corpo-diplomatico_index_en.html#top Bilateral and Multilateral Relations of the Holy See] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101012105106/https://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/documentazione/documents/corpo-diplomatico_index_en.html |date=12 October 2010 }}. The Vatican. (31 May 2007). Retrieved 11 September 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zenit.org/article-34102?l=english |title=179 states have full diplomatic relations with the Holy See |publisher=[[Zenit News Agency]] |date=11 January 2012 |access-date=20 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120116144434/http://www.zenit.org/article-34102?l=english |archive-date = 16 January 2012}}</ref> 69 of the diplomatic missions accredited to the Holy See are situated in Rome. The Holy See maintains 180 permanent diplomatic missions abroad, of which 74 are non-residential, so that many of its 106 concrete missions are accredited to two or more countries or international organizations. The diplomatic activities of the Holy See are directed by the [[Secretariat of State (Vatican)|Secretariat of State]] (headed by the [[Cardinal Secretary of State]]), through the Section for Relations with States. There are 12 internationally recognized states with which the Holy See does not have relations.{{NoteTag|[[Afghanistan]], [[Bhutan]], [[Brunei]], [[Comoros]], [[Laos]], the [[Maldives]], [[North Korea]], the [[China–Holy See relations|People's Republic of China]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Somalia]], [[Tuvalu]] and [[Holy See–Vietnam relations|Vietnam]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/162301?eng=y |title=Mission Impossible: Eject the Holy See from the United Nations |website=chiesa: News, analysis, and documents on the Catholic Church, by Sandro Magister |date=21 August 2007 |access-date=3 October 2007 |archive-date=22 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722051730/http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/162301?eng=y |url-status=live }}</ref>}} The Holy See is the only European subject of international law that has diplomatic relations with the government of the [[Taiwan|Republic of China (Taiwan)]] as representing China,<ref>[https://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/documentazione/documents/corpo-diplomatico/corpo-diplomatico_stati_elenco_en.html Holy See Press Office: "Bilateral and Multilateral Relations of the Holy See"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906041527/https://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/documentazione/documents/corpo-diplomatico/corpo-diplomatico_stati_elenco_en.html |date=6 September 2014 }}</ref><ref>''[[Annuario Pontificio]] 2013'' (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2013, {{ISBN|978-88-209-9070-1}}), pp. 1307 (Rappresentanze Pontificie) and 1338 (Corpo Diplomatico presso la Santa Sede)</ref> rather than the government of the [[China|People's Republic of China]] (see [[Holy See–Taiwan relations]]).

The British [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]] speaks of [[Vatican City]] as the "capital" of the Holy See, although it compares the legal personality of the Holy See to that of [[the Crown]] in Christian monarchies and declares that the Holy See and the state of Vatican City are two international identities. It also distinguishes between the employees of the Holy See (2,750 working in the [[Roman Curia]] with another 333 working in the Holy See's diplomatic missions abroad) and the 1,909 employees of the Vatican City State.<ref name="fco" /> The [[List of ambassadors of the United Kingdom to the Holy See|British Ambassador to the Holy See]] uses more precise language, saying that the Holy See "is not the same as the Vatican City State. ... (It) is the universal government of the Catholic Church and ''operates from'' the Vatican City State."<ref>[http://www.sces.uk.com/articles/ambassadors-address-on-uk-holy-see-relations.html Ambassador's Address on UK-Holy See Relations] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513225154/http://www.sces.uk.com/articles/ambassadors-address-on-uk-holy-see-relations.html |date=13 May 2011 }} (emphasis added)</ref> This agrees exactly with the expression used by the website of the United States Department of State, in giving information on both the Holy See and the Vatican City State: it too says that the Holy See "operates from the Vatican City State".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Holy See |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3819.htm |access-date=26 July 2022 |website=U.S. Department of State |archive-date=19 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319202807/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3819.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Holy See is a member of various international organizations and groups including the [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] (IAEA), [[International Telecommunication Union]], the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] (OSCE), the [[Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons]] (OPCW) and the [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]] (UNHCR). The Holy See is also a permanent [[observer status|observer]] in various international organizations, including the [[United Nations General Assembly]], the [[Council of Europe]], [[UNESCO]] (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO), and the [[Food and Agriculture Organization]] (FAO).

=== Relationship with Vatican City and other territories ===
{{Vatican city}}
The Holy See participates as an observer to [[African Union]], [[Arab League]], [[Council of Europe]], the [[Non-Aligned Movement]] (NAM), [[Organization of American States]], [[International Organization for Migration]] and in the United Nations and its agencies [[FAO]], [[ILO]], [[UNCTAD]], [[UNEP]], [[UNESCO]], [[UN-HABITAT]], [[UNHCR]], [[United Nations Industrial Development Organization|UNIDO]], [[World Tourism Organization|UNWTO]], [[WFP]], [[WHO]], [[WIPO]]. and as a full member in [[IAEA]], [[OPCW]], [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] (OSCE).

Although the Holy See is closely associated with Vatican City, the independent territory over which the Holy See is [[sovereignty|sovereign]], the two entities are separate and distinct. After the Italian seizure of the [[Papal States]] in 1870, the Holy See had no territorial sovereignty. In spite of some uncertainty among jurists as to whether it could continue to act as an independent personality in international matters, the Holy See continued in fact to exercise the right to send and receive diplomatic representatives, maintaining relations with states that included the major powers Russia, [[Prussia]], and [[Austria-Hungary]].<ref name="30giorni.it">[http://www.30giorni.it/it/articolo.asp?id=10264 Lecture by Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, 16 February 2006] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927014138/http://www.30giorni.it/it/articolo.asp?id=10264 |date=27 September 2007 }}. 30giorni.it. Retrieved 11 September 2011.</ref>

Where, in accordance with the decision of the 1815 [[Congress of Vienna]], the [[Nuncio]] was a member of the Diplomatic Corps and its dean, this arrangement continued to be accepted by the other ambassadors. In the course of the 59 years during which the Holy See held no territorial sovereignty, the number of states that had diplomatic relations with it, which had been reduced to 16, increased to 29.<ref name="30giorni.it"/>

The State of the Vatican City was created by the [[Lateran Treaty]] in 1929 to "ensure the absolute and visible independence of the Holy See" and "to guarantee to it indisputable sovereignty in international affairs." Archbishop [[Jean-Louis Tauran]], the Holy See's former Secretary for Relations with States, said that Vatican City is a "minuscule support-state that guarantees the spiritual freedom of the Pope with the minimum territory".<ref>[https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/documents/rc_seg-st_doc_20020422_tauran_en.html Lecture by Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, 22 April 2002] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140215051159/https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/documents/rc_seg-st_doc_20020422_tauran_en.html |date=15 February 2014 }}. The Holy See. Retrieved 11 September 2011.</ref>

The Holy See, not Vatican City, maintains diplomatic relations with states.<ref>[https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/documents/rc_seg-st_20010123_holy-see-relations_en.html Bilateral and Multilateral Relations of the Holy See] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709142833/https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/documents/rc_seg-st_20010123_holy-see-relations_en.html |date=9 July 2014 }}. The Holy See. Retrieved 11 September 2011.</ref> Foreign embassies are accredited to the Holy See, not to Vatican City, and it is the Holy See that establishes treaties and [[concordat]]s with other sovereign entities. When necessary, the Holy See will enter a treaty on behalf of Vatican City.

Under the terms of the Lateran Treaty, the Holy See has extraterritorial authority over [[Properties of the Holy See|various sites in Rome and two Italian sites outside of Rome]], including the [[Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo|Pontifical Palace at Castel Gandolfo]]. The same authority is extended under international law over the [[Apostolic Nunciature]] of the Holy See in a foreign country.

== Military ==
{{See also|Military in Vatican City}}
[[File:Vatikanoko guardia suitzarra, Lurdako Gure Amaren Santutegian.jpg|thumb|200px|The [[Swiss Guard]] on patrol]]

Like various European powers, earlier popes recruited Swiss mercenaries as part of an army. The [[Pontifical Swiss Guard]] was founded by [[Pope Julius II]] in January 1506 as the personal bodyguards of the Pope and continues to fulfill that function.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.swissguard.va/index.php?id=258&L=3|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131030094000/http://www.swissguard.va/index.php?id=258&L=3|url-status=dead |title=Päpstliche Schweizergarde: 1506 Foundation |date=30 October 2013|archive-date=30 October 2013}}</ref> It is listed in the ''[[Annuario Pontificio]]'' under "Holy See", not under "State of Vatican City".<ref>''Annuario Pontificio 2013'' (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2013), p. 1269</ref>

In 2005, the Guard had 134 members. Recruitment is arranged by a special agreement between the Holy See and Switzerland. All recruits must be Catholic, unmarried males with Swiss citizenship who have completed basic training with the [[Swiss Armed Forces]] with certificates of good conduct, be between the ages of 19 and 30,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.swissguard.va/index.php?id=265&L=3 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130421222339/http://www.swissguard.va/index.php?id=265&L=3 | url-status=dead | archive-date=21 April 2013 |title=Päpstliche Schweizergarde: Conditions |date=21 April 2013}}</ref> and be at least {{convert|175|cm|ftin|abbr=off}} in height.

Members are armed with small arms and the traditional [[halberd]], also called the Swiss [[voulge]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.knightsedge.com/s-99-swiss-voulge.aspx|title=Swiss Voulge – Also Called Halberd or Halbert|website=www.knightsedge.com|accessdate=5 March 2023|archive-date=5 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305044518/https://www.knightsedge.com/s-99-swiss-voulge.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> and trained in bodyguarding tactics.<ref>See videos at [https://archive.today/20131030093955/http://www.swissguard.va/index.php?id=252&L=3 Pontifical Swiss Guards, Gallery]</ref>

The police force in Vatican City, known as the [[Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City]], belongs to the city state, not to the Holy See.

The Holy See signed the UN [[treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons]], a binding agreement for negotiations for the total elimination of nuclear weapons.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |title=Chapter XXVI: Disarmament&nbsp;– No. 9 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons |publisher=United Nations Treaty Collection |date=7 July 2017 |access-date=10 August 2019 |archive-date=6 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806220546/https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Holy See urges ratification of Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2018-10/holy-see-united-nations-auza-prohibition-nuclear-weapons.html |work=Vatican News |date=23 October 2018 |access-date=10 August 2019 |archive-date=10 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810014127/https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2018-10/holy-see-united-nations-auza-prohibition-nuclear-weapons.html |url-status=live |author-first1=Robin|author-last1=Gomes}}</ref>

== Coat of arms ==
{{Main|Coat of arms of the Holy See|Coat of arms of Vatican City}}
{{multiple image
| image1            = Coat of Arms of the Holy See (red).svg
| alt1              = 
| caption1          = (A variant of the) Arms of the Holy See
| width1            = 120
| width2            = 120
| image2            = Coat of arms of Vatican City (2023–present).svg
| alt2              = 
| caption2          = Arms of Vatican City State
}}

The arms of the Holy See have the gold key in [[bend (heraldry)|bend]] and the silver key in bend sinister,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zLBnynmMp_oC&q=%22present+usage+of+placing+a+gold+key%22 |title=A Treatise on Ecclesiastical Heraldry |first=Donald Lindsay |last=Galbreath |date=13 September 1930 |publisher=W. Heffer and sons, Limited |via=Google Books |access-date=12 November 2020 |archive-date=10 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310114619/https://books.google.com/books?id=zLBnynmMp_oC&q=%22present+usage+of+placing+a+gold+key%22 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>"The golden key, which points upwards on the [[Dexter and sinister|dexter]] side, signifies the power that extends even to Heaven. The silver key, which must point up to the [[Dexter and sinister|sinister]] side, symbolizes the power over all the faithful on earth." Bruno Bernhard Heim, ''[[iarchive:heraldryincathol0000heim/page/54/mode/2up|Heraldry in the Catholic Church: Its Origin, Customs and Laws]]'' (Van Duren 1978 {{ISBN|9780391008731}}), p.&nbsp;54.</ref> as in the [[sede vacante]] coat of arms and in the external ornaments of the [[papal coats of arms]] of individual popes. The reversed arrangement of the keys was chosen for the arms of the newly founded Vatican City State in 1929.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uniroma2.it/didattica/Ecclesiastico/deposito/Leggi_Vaticane.pdf |title=Appendix B ("All. B. Stemma Ufficiale dello Stato della Città del Vaticano") of the Fundamental Law of Vatican City State, 7 June 1929 |access-date = 7 February 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131217230421/http://www.uniroma2.it/didattica/Ecclesiastico/deposito/Leggi_Vaticane.pdf |archive-date = 17 December 2013 |url-status = dead}}</ref>

The coat of arms of the Holy See has no background shield, as can be seen on its official website and on the [[Holy See passports]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://epass.vatican.va/VistaInsiemeFolder.pdf |title=Holy See Passport |publisher=The Holy See and Vatican City State |access-date=3 May 2025}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Global organisation of the Catholic Church]]
* [[Index of Vatican City-related articles]]
* [[Patriarchate]]
* [[Petitions to the Holy See]]
* [[Pontifical academy]]
* [[See of Constantinople]]
* [[Sovereign Military Order of Malta]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}
{{NoteFoot}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book |last=Köck |first=Heribert F. |title=Die Völkerrechtliche Stellung Des Heiligen Stuhls: Dargestellt an Seiner Beziehungen Zu Staaten Und Internationalen Organisationen |year=1975 |publisher=Duncker und Humblot |location=Berlin |isbn=978-3-428-03355-3}}
* {{cite book |last=Köck |first=Heribert F. |title=Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law |year=1995 |volume=2 |chapter=Holy See| editor-last=Bernhardt |editor-first =Rudolf| editor2-last =Macalister-Smith| editor2-first = Peter |publisher=North-Holland |location=Amsterdam |isbn=978-0-444-86245-7|title-link=Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law}}
* {{cite book |last=Brusher |first=Joseph S. |title=Popes Through the Ages |url=https://archive.org/details/popesthroughages00brus|url-access=registration |year=1959 |publisher=Van Nostrand |location=Princeton, N.J. |oclc=742355324}}
* {{cite book |last=Chamberlin |first=E. R. |title=[[The Bad Popes]] |year=1969 |publisher=Dial Press |location=New York |oclc=647415773}}
* {{cite book |last=Dollison |first=John |title=Pope-pourri |year=1994 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |location=New York |isbn=978-0-671-88615-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/popepourri00doll}}
* {{cite book |last=Maxwell-Stuart |first=P. G. |title=Chronicle of the Popes: The Reign-by-Reign Record of the Papacy from St. Peter to the Present |year=1997 |publisher=Thames and Hudson |location=London |isbn=978-0-500-01798-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/chronicleofpopes00maxw}}
* {{cite book |last=Norwich |first=John Julius |author-link=John Julius Norwich |title=The Popes: A History |year=2011 |publisher=Chatto & Windus |location=London |isbn=978-0-7011-8290-8}}
* {{cite book |title=Saints and Sinners, a History of the Popes |last=Duffy |first=Eamon|author-link=Eamon Duffy |year=1997 |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=978-0-300-07332-4 |url=https://archive.org/details/saintssinnershis00duff}}
* {{cite book |last=Durant |first=William James |author-link=Will Durant |title=The Story of Civilization |volume=IV. The Age of Faith: A History of Medieval Civilization – Christian, Islamic, and Judaic – from Constantine to Dante, A.D. 325–1300 |year=1950 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |location=New York |isbn=978-0-671-01200-7 |title-link=The Age of Faith}}
* {{cite book |last=Durant |first=William James |author-link=Will Durant |title=The Story of Civilization |volume=VI. The Reformation |year=1957 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |location=New York |isbn=978-0-671-61050-0 |title-link=The Reformation (Story of Civilization)}}
* {{cite book |last1=Franzen |first1=August |author2=Dolan, John |title=A History of the Church |publisher=Herder and Herder |year=1969}}
* {{cite book |last=Granfield |first=Patrick |title=The Limits of the Papacy: Authority and Autonomy in the Church |year=1987 |publisher=Crossroad |location=New York |isbn=978-0-8245-0839-5 |url=https://archive.org/details/limitsofpapacy00gran}}
* {{cite book |last=Grisar |first=Hartmann |title=History of Rome and the Popes in the Middle Ages |year=1912 |publisher=Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner |location=London |oclc=11025456}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_22021996_universi-dominici-gregis_en.html |title=Universi Dominici Gregis |last=John Paul II |first=Pope |author-link=Pope John Paul II |date=22 February 1996 |publisher=[[Vatican Publishing House]]}}
* {{cite book |last=Kelly |first=J. N. |title=Oxford Dictionary of the Popes |year=1986 |publisher=Prentice Hall |isbn=978-0-19-190935-1}}
* {{cite book |last=Kerr |first=William Shaw |author-link=William Kerr (bishop) |title=A Handbook on the Papacy |year=1950 |publisher=Marshall, Morgan & Scott |location=London |oclc=51018118}}
* {{cite book |title=The Catholic Church: A Short History |last=Küng |first=Hans|author-link=Hans Küng |year=2003 |publisher=Random House |isbn=978-0-8129-6762-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/catholicchurch00sama}}
* {{cite book |author=Loomis, Louise Ropes |title=The Book of the Popes (Liber Pontificalis): To the Pontificate of Gregory I |publisher=Evolution Publishing |location=Merchantville, New Jersey |orig-year=1916 |year=2006 |isbn=978-1-889758-86-2}}
* {{cite book |last1=Noble |first1=Thomas |author2=Strauss, Barry |title=Western Civilization |year=2005 |publisher=Houghton Mifflin |isbn=978-0-618-43277-6}}
* {{cite book |title=A Short History of the Catholic Church |last=Orlandis |first=José|author-link=José Orlandis |year=1993 |publisher=Scepter |isbn=978-1-85182-125-9}}
* {{cite book |last=La Due |first=William J. |title=The Chair of Saint Peter: A History of the Papacy |year=1999 |publisher=Orbis Books |location=Maryknoll, N.Y. |isbn=978-1-57075-249-0}}

== External links ==
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