Foreign relations of the Holy See
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The Holy See—as distinct from the city-state of the Vatican City, over which the Holy See has "full ownership, exclusive dominion, and sovereign authority and jurisdiction",[1] has long been recognised as a subject of international law and as an active participant in international relations. It remains such, and indeed one observer has said that its interaction with the world has, in the period since World War II, been at its highest level ever.[2]
The diplomatic activities of the Holy See are directed by the Secretariat of State (headed by the Cardinal Secretary of State), through the Section for Relations with States.
The Holy See recognizes all UN member states, with the exception of the People's Republic of China (it only recognizes the Republic of China) and possibly the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (as the Holy See has relations only with the Republic of Korea, which claims the entire Korean Peninsula). The Holy See does recognize the State of Palestine, but does not recognize any other non-UN member states with the exception of the aforementioned Republic of China.
History
Since medieval times the episcopal see of Rome has been recognized as a sovereign entity. Earlier, there were papal representatives (apocrisiarii) to the Emperors of Constantinople, beginning in 453, but they were not thought of as ambassadors.[3] In the eleventh century the sending of papal representatives to princes, on a temporary or permanent mission, became frequent.[4] In the fifteenth century it became customary for states to accredit permanent resident ambassadors to the Pope in Rome.[5] The first permanent papal nunciature was established in 1500 in Venice. Their number grew in the course of the sixteenth century to thirteen, while internuncios (representatives of second rank) were sent to less-powerful states.[6] After enjoying a brilliant period in the first half of the seventeenth century, papal diplomacy declined after the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, being assailed especially by royalists and Gallicans, and the number of functioning nuncios was reduced to two in the time of Napoleon, although in the same period, in 1805, Prussia became the first Protestant state to send an ambassador to Rome. There was a revival after the Congress of Vienna, which, while laying down that, in general, the order of precedence between ambassadors would be determined by the date of their arrival, allowed special precedence to be given to the nuncio, by which he would always be the dean of the diplomatic corps.[7]
In spite of the extinction of the Papal States in 1870, and the consequent loss of territorial sovereignty, and 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 of Russia, Prussia and Austria-Hungary.[8] Countries continued to receive nuncios as diplomatic representatives of full rank, and where, in accordance with the decision of the 1815 Congress of Vienna, the Nuncio was not only a member of the Diplomatic Corps but its Dean, this arrangement continued to be accepted by the other ambassadors.[8]
With the First World War and its aftermath the number of states with diplomatic relations with the Holy See increased. For the first time since relations were broken between the Pope and Queen Elizabeth I of England, a British diplomatic mission to the Holy See was opened in 1914.[9] The result was that, instead of diminishing, the number of diplomats accredited to the Holy See grew from sixteen in 1871 to twenty-seven in 1929, even before it again acquired territorial sovereignty with the founding of the State of Vatican City.[10]
In the same period, the Holy See concluded a total of twenty-nine concordats and other agreements with states, including Austro-Hungary in 1881, Russia in 1882 and 1907, France in 1886 and 1923.[10] Two of these concordats were registered at the League of Nations at the request of the countries involved.[11]
While bereft of territorial sovereignty, the Holy See also accepted requests to act as arbitrator between countries, including a dispute between Germany and Spain over the Caroline Islands.[10]
The Lateran Treaty of 1929 and the founding of the Vatican City State was not followed by any great immediate increase in the number of states with which the Holy See had official relations. This came later, especially after the Second World War.
Bilateral relations
The Holy See, as a non-state sovereign entity and full subject of international law, started establishing diplomatic relations with sovereign states in the 15th century.[13] It had the territory of the States of the Church under its direct sovereign rule since centuries before that time. Currently it has the territory of the State of the Vatican City under its direct sovereign rule. In the period of 1870-1929 between the annexation of Rome by the Kingdom of Italy and the ratification of the Lateran Treaty establishing the current Vatican City State, the Holy See was devoid of territory. In this period some states suspended their diplomatic relations, but others retained them (or established such relations for the first time or reestablished them after a break), so that the number of states that did have diplomatic relations with the Holy See almost doubled (from 16 to 27) in the period between 1871 and 1929.[10]
The Holy See currently has diplomatic relations with 181 sovereign states[14] (including the partially internationally recognized Republic of China) and in addition with the sovereign entity Order of Malta and the supranational union European Union.[15]
The Holy See also has established official diplomatic relations with the State of Palestine.[13] By agreement with the government of Vietnam, it has a non-resident papal representative to that country.[16] It has official formal contacts, without establishing diplomatic relations, with: Afghanistan, Brunei, Somalia, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.[17]
The Holy See additionally maintains some apostolic delegates to local Catholic Church communities and such delegates are not accredited to the governments of the respective states and work only in unofficial non-diplomatic capacity.[18] The regions and states where such non-diplomatic delegates operate are: Brunei, Comoros, Laos, Mauritania, Myanmar, Somalia, Vietnam, Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories (Palestine), Pacific Ocean (Tuvalu, dependent territories[19]), Arabian Peninsula (Oman, foreigners in Saudi Arabia), Antilles (dependent territories[20]), apostolic delegate to Kosovo[21] (Republic of Kosovo) and the apostolic prefecture of Western Sahara (Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic)
The Holy See has no relations of any kind with the following states:
- Kingdom of Bhutan (see Roman Catholicism in Bhutan)
- Republic of the Maldives (see Roman Catholicism in the Maldives)
- People's Republic of China (see Roman Catholicism in China)
- Democratic People's Republic of Korea (see Roman Catholicism in North Korea)
The Holy See maintains 180 permanent diplomatic missions abroad, of which 73 are non-residential, so that it has in all 106 concrete missions, some of which are accredited not only to the country in which they are situated, but also to one or more other countries or international organizations.
The Holy See is the only European subject of international law to have diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan), although there have been reports of informal talks between the Holy See and the government of the People's Republic of China on establishing diplomatic relations, restoring the situation that existed when the papal representative was part of the diplomatic corps that accepted the Communist government military victory instead of withdrawing with the Nationalist authorities to Taiwan. He was later expelled, after which the Holy See sent its representative to Taipei instead.
During the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI relations were established Montenegro (2006), the United Arab Emirates (2007), Botswana (2008), the Russia (2009), Malaysia (2011) and South Sudan (2013).[22] "Relations of a special nature" had previously been in place with Russia similar to those that continue to exist with the Palestinian Liberation Organization.[23]
Europe
Country | Formal relations begun or resumed | Notes |
---|---|---|
Albania | 1991 |
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1992 | See Bosnia and Herzegovina–Holy See relations.
|
Croatia | 1992 | See Croatia–Holy See relations.
|
Denmark | 1982 | |
Estonia | 1991 | See Foreign relations of Estonia. |
European Union | 1970 | See Holy See–European Union relations.
Many of the founders of the European Union were inspired by Catholic ideals, notably Robert Schuman, Alcide de Gasperi, Konrad Adenauer, and Jean Monnet.[29][30] |
France | 16th century | See France–Holy See relations.
Holy See–France relations are very ancient and have existed since the fifth century AD, and have been durable to the extent that France is sometimes called the eldest daughter of the Church. Areas of cooperation between Paris and the Holy See have traditionally included education, health care, the struggle against poverty and international diplomacy. Before the establishment of the welfare state, Church involvement was evident in many sectors of French society. Today, Paris's international peace initiatives are often in line with those of the Holy See, who favors dialogue on a global level. |
Germany | 1951 | See Germany–Holy See relations.
|
Greece | 1980 | See Greece–Holy See relations.
The Holy See established its Apostolic Nunciature to Greece in Athens in 1980. The Greek ambassador to the Holy See at first resided in Paris, where he was concurrently accredited to France; in 1988 a separate Greek embassy to the Holy See, situated in Rome, was established. In May 2001, Pope John Paul II made a visit of pilgrimage to Greece.[31] |
Iceland | 1977 |
Diplomatic relations were established in 1977, but the Pope Paul VI in his greeting to the first Ambassador from Iceland referred to these relations as "the millenary ties between your people (i.e. of Iceland) and the Catholic Church".[32] |
Ireland | 1929 | See Holy See–Ireland relations.
The majority of Irish people are Roman Catholic. The Holy See has an embassy in Dublin. Ireland had, in Rome, an embassy to the Holy See. The government closed that embassy in 2011 for financial reasons, re-opened it however in 2014.[33] Currently Ireland's representative to the Holy See is a 'non-resident ambassador',[33] who is ordinarily resident in Dublin. |
Italy | 1929 | See Holy See–Italy relations.
Because of the small size of the Vatican City State, embassies accredited to the Holy See are based on Italian territory. Treaties signed between Italy and the Vatican City State permit such embassages. Like the Embassy of Italy, the Embassy of Andorra to the Holy See is also based on its home territory. |
Lithuania | 1991 |
|
Malta | 1965 |
|
Norway | 1982 | Usually side accreditations: Stockholm (nuntius) and Bern. |
Poland | 1555 | See Holy See–Poland relations.
|
Portugal | 1179 1670 1918 |
Portugal has one of the oldest relations with the Holy See; it received formal recognition as independent from Castile in 1179 and has always kept a strong relation with the Holy See following the maritime expansion and the Christianization of overseas territories. Relations suspended from 1640 to 1670, following the war against Spain (the Holy See did not recognise the Portuguese independence before the end of the war in 1668) and from 1911 to 1918 (following the proclamation of the Portuguese Republic in October 1910 and the approvation of the Law of Separation of the Church and the State). Concordats signed in 1940 and 2004.
|
Romania | 1920;1990 | See Holy See–Romania relations.
|
Russia | 2009 | See Holy See–Russia relations.
Russia has an embassy in Rome accredited to the Holy See. Holy See–Russia relations are largely linked to ecumenical relations with the Russian Orthodox Church. |
Serbia | 2003 | See Holy See–Serbia relations.
|
Spain | 1530 | See Holy See–Spain relations.
|
Turkey | 1868 | See Holy See–Turkey relations.
|
Ukraine | 1992 |
|
United Kingdom | 1982 | See Holy See–United Kingdom relations.
With the English Reformation, diplomatic links between London and the Holy See, which had been established in 1479, were interrupted in 1536 and again, after a brief restoration in 1553, in 1558. Formal diplomatic ties between the United Kingdom and the Holy See were restored in 1914 and raised to ambassadorial level in 1982.[42][43] |
Americas
Country | Formal relations begun or resumed | Notes |
---|---|---|
Argentina | 1940-4-17 | See Argentina–Holy See relations.
|
Canada | 1969 | See Canada–Holy See relations.
|
Mexico | 1992 | See Holy See–Mexico relations.
After Holy See-Mexico diplomatic relations were broken off in 1861,[46] the Holy See assigned an Apostolic Delegate as resident representative in Mexico in 1904.[47] In 1992, after more than 130 years, the Mexican Government reestablished diplomatic relations with the Holy See and restored civil rights to the Roman Catholic Church in Mexico.[47][48] |
United States | 1984 | See Holy See–United States relations.
Holy See priorities included freedom of religion, inter-religious dialogue (particularly with the Muslim world), ecumenism, opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage, and peace (particularly for the Middle East). Pope Francis has also publicly expressed concern over the issue of climate change, describing the protection of the environment as a moral responsibility to safeguard God's creation. The principal U.S. official is Chargé d'Affaires Mario Mesquita as of November 6, 2012. The Apostolic Nuncio to the United States is Archbishop Christophe Pierre as of June 6, 2016. The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See is located in Rome in the Villa Domiziana. The Nunciature to the United States is located in Washington, D.C. at 3339 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. |
Venezuela | 1869 | See Holy See–Venezuela relations.
Diplomatic relations were established in 1869. The Holy See has a nunciature in Caracas. Venezuela has an embassy in Rome. |
Africa
Country | Formal relations begun or resumed | Notes |
---|---|---|
Algeria | See Algeria–Holy See relations.
| |
Kenya | 1959 |
|
Madagascar | 1960 |
|
Rwanda |
| |
Sudan | 1969 |
|
Middle East
Country | Formal relations begun or resumed | Notes |
---|---|---|
Iran | 1954 | See Holy See–Iran relations.
The two countries have had formal diplomatic relations since 1954, since the pontificate of Pius XII, and have been maintained during Islamic revolution.[60] Iran has a large diplomatic corps at the Vatican with only the Dominican Republic having more diplomats accredited to the Holy See.[60] In 2008 relations between Iran and the Holy See were "warming", and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad "said the Vatican was a positive force for justice and peace" when he met with the Papal nuncio to Iran, Archbishop Jean-Paul Gobel.[61] |
Israel | 1993 | See Holy See–Israel relations.
Holy See–Israel relations have officially existed since 1993 with the adoption of the fundamental agreement between the two parties. However, relations remain tense because of the non-fulfillment of the accords giving property rights and tax exemptions to the Church. |
Palestinian Authority |
An Apostolic Delegation (a non-diplomatic mission of the Holy See) denominated "Jerusalem and Palestine" has existed since 11 February 1948. The Palestine Liberation Organization has non-diplomatic but official relations with the Holy See from October 1994, with an office in Rome. On February 15, 2000, a basic agreement was concluded between the Palestinian Authority and the Holy See. The Holy See, along with many other states, supports a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. | |
Jordan | 1994 | See Holy See–Jordan relations.
The Holy See has a nunciature in Amman. Jordan has an embassy in Rome. The Holy See has maintained comparatively good relations with Jordan. The name of the country comes from the Jordan River, which is significant to Christians because it was the place where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Various Christian clerics in the Arab world have a Jordanian background, such as Maroun Lahham in Tunisia and Fouad Twal in Israel/Palestine. |
Kuwait | 1969 |
|
Lebanon | 1947 | See Holy See–Lebanon relations.
|
Qatar | 2002[64] |
|
Saudi Arabia | See Holy See–Saudi Arabia relations.
There have been some important high-level meetings between Saudi and Vatican officials in order to discuss issues and organize dialogue between religions. | |
Syria | 1946 |
|
United Arab Emirates | 2007[67] |
Asia-Pacific
Country | Formal relations begun or resumed | Notes |
---|---|---|
Australia | 1973 |
|
Bangladesh | See Bangladesh–Holy See relations.
| |
China, Republic of (Taiwan) | 1942 (at Mainland China) 1951 (at Taiwan) |
See Holy See–Taiwan relations.
|
India | 1948 | See Holy See–India relations.
Holy See–India diplomatic relations exist since 12 June 1948. An Apostolic Delegation existed from 1881.[71] |
Indonesia | 1947 |
|
Malaysia | 2011 | See Holy See–Malaysia relations.
|
Nepal | 1983 | See Holy See–Nepal relations. |
New Zealand | 1948 |
|
Pakistan | 1961 | See Holy See–Pakistan relations.
|
Philippines | 1951 | See Holy See–Philippines relations. |
North Korea | See Foreign relations of North Korea. | |
South Korea | 1966[82] | See Holy See–South Korea relations.
|
Sri Lanka | 1978 | see Holy See–Sri Lanka relations.
The Holy See has a nunciature in Colombo. Sri Lanka has an ambassador accredited to the Holy See. |
Thailand | 1957 |
History
|
Vietnam | See Holy See–Vietnam relations.
Diplomatic relations have not been established with Vietnam. An Apostolic Delegation (a papal mission accredited to the Catholic Church in the country but not officially to the Government) still exists on paper and as such is listed in the Annuario Pontificio; but since the end of the Vietnam War admittance of representatives to staff it has not been permitted. Temporary missions to discuss with the Government matters of common interest are sent every year or two. |
Multilateral politics
Participation in international organizations
The Holy See is active in international organizations and is a member of the following groups:[93] Template:Multicol
- International Committee of Military Medicine (ICMM)
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
- International Organization for Migration (IOM)[94]
- International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI)
- Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
- Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
- Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)
- 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)
The Holy See is also a permanent observer of the following international organizations: Template:Multicol
- Council of Europe in Strasbourg
- International Labour Organization (ILO)
- International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
- International Commission on Civil Status (CIEC)
- Latin Union (LU)
- Organization of American States (OAS)
- Organisation of African Unity (OAU)
- United Nations
- UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)
- United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP)
- United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS)
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- World Tourism Organization (WToO)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- World Food Programme (WFP)
The Holy See is an observer on an informal basis of the following groups: Template:Multicol
- Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO)
- International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (ISDR, 1990s)
- International Maritime Organization (IMO)
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses 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 Cooperation in Europe.
Activities of the Holy See within the United Nations system
Since 6 April 1964, the Holy See has been a permanent observer state at the United Nations. In that capacity, the Holy See has since had a standing invitation attend all the sessions of the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Security Council, and the United Nations Economic and Social Council to observe their work, and to maintain a permanent observer mission at the UN headquarters in New York.[95] Accordingly, the Holy See has established a Permanent Observer Mission in New York, has sent representatives to all open meetings of the General Assembly and of its Main Committees and has been able to influence their decisions and recommendations.
Relationship with Vatican City
Although the Holy See is closely associated with Vatican City, the independent territory over which the Holy See is sovereign, the two entities are separate and distinct.
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 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".[96]
The Holy See, not Vatican City, maintains diplomatic relations with states, and foreign embassies are accredited to the Holy See, not to Vatican City State. It is the Holy See that establishes treaties and concordats with other sovereign entities and likewise, generally, it is the Holy See that participates in international organizations, with the exception of those dealing with technical matters of clearly territorial character,[93] such as: Template:Multicol
- European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT)
- European Telecommunication Satellite Organization (EUTELSAT)
- International Grains Council (IGC)
- International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IISA)
- International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO)
- International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
- Interpol[97]
- Universal Postal Union (UPU)
Under the terms of the Lateran Treaty, the Holy See has extraterritorial authority over various sites in Rome and two Italian sites outside of Rome, including the 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.
Diplomatic representations to the Holy See
Of the diplomatic missions accredited to the Holy See, 69 are situated in Rome, although those countries, if they also have an embassy to Italy, then have two embassies in the same city, since, by agreement between the Holy See and Italy, the same person cannot at the same time be accredited to both. The United Kingdom recently housed its embassy to the Holy See in the same building as its embassy to the Italian Republic, a move that led to a diplomatic protest from the Holy See. An ambassador accredited to a country other than Italy can be accredited also to the Holy See. For reasons of economy, therefore, smaller countries accredit to the Holy See a mission situated elsewhere and accredited also to the country of residence and perhaps other countries.
Massimo Franco, author of "Parallel Empires", asserted in April 2009 that the Obama administration had put forward three candidates for consideration but each of them have been deemed insufficiently pro-life by the Vatican.[98] This claim was denied by the Holy See's spokesman Federico Lombardi, and was dismissed by Thomas Patrick Melady, former United States Ambassador to the Holy See, as being in conflict with diplomatic practice. Vatican sources said that it is not the practice to vet the personal ideas of those who are proposed as ambassadors to the Holy See, though in the case of candidates who are Catholics and who are living with someone, their marital status is taken into account. Divorced people who are not Catholics can in fact be accepted, provided their marriage situation is in accord with the rules of their own religion.[99]
In September 2008, French and Italian press reports likewise claimed that the Holy See had refused the required diplomatic approval of several candidates proposed by Paris for the job, which has been vacant since the previous ambassador died in December 2007.[100]
According to press accounts in Argentina in January 2008, the country's nominee as ambassador to the Holy See, Alberto Iribarne, a Catholic, was rejected on the grounds that he was living with a woman other than the wife from whom he was divorced.[101]
Treaties and Concordats
Since the Holy See is legally capable of ratifying international treaties, and does ratify them, it has negotiated numerous bilateral treaties with states and it has been invited to participate - on equal footing with States - in the negotiation of most universal International law-making treaties. Traditionally, an agreement between the Holy See of the Catholic Church and a sovereign state on religious matters is called a concordat. This often includes both recognition and privileges for the Catholic Church in a particular country, such as exemptions from certain legal matters and processes, and issues such as taxation as well as the right of a state to influence the selection of bishops within its territory.
Bibliography
- Cardinale, Hyginus Eugene (1976). The Holy See and the International Order. Colin Smythe, (Gerrards Cross). ISBN 0-900675-60-8.
See also
- Apostolic Nunciature
- Holy See and the United Nations
- Index of Vatican City-related articles
- Legal status of the Holy See
References
- ^ Article 3 of the Lateran Treaty, which founded the state
- ^ Thomas, Gordon. Gideon's Spies.
- ^ Cardinale, p. 64.
- ^ Cardinale, p. 65.
- ^ Cardinale, p. 68.
- ^ Cardinale, p. 70.
- ^ Boczek, Boleslaw Adam (2005). International Law: A Dictionary. p. 47. Scarecrow Press (Lanham, Maryland). ISBN 0-8108-5078-8, ISBN 978-0-8108-5078-1).
- ^ a b "30Giorni - Uno strumento docile e fedele al Papa (di Giovanni Lajolo)". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ UK in the Holy See: Previous ambassadors
- ^ a b c d Philippe Levillain, John W. O'Malley, The Papacy: Gaius-Proxies (Routledge, 2002 ISBN 0-415-92230-5, ISBN 978-0-415-92230-2), p. 718
- ^ J.K.T. Chao, The Evolution of Vatican Diplomacy p. 27
- ^ Such as in Order of precedence.
- ^ a b "Bilateral and Multilateral Relations of the Holy See, update on October 22, 2009". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ "Bilateral and Multilateral Relations of the Holy See, update on October 22, 2009". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ "179 States Have Full Diplomatic Relations With the Holy See". ZENIT - The World Seen From Rome. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ "Pope names first diplomatic representative to Vietnam". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ Elemedia S.p.A. - Area Internet. "The Holy See's Diplomatic Net. Latest Acquisition: Russia". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ "Apostolic Delegations". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ American Samoa, French Polynesia, Guam, New Caledonia, Niue (dependent but self-governing), Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Pitcairn Islands, Tokelau, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Wallis and Futuna
- ^ The dependent territories/constituent countries/overseas departments Anguilla, Aruba, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, Turks and Caicos Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
- ^ Note On Appointment Of Apostolic Delegate To Kosovo:"being completely distinct from considerations regarding juridical and territorial situations or any other question inherent to the diplomatic activity of the Holy See."
- ^ "Holy See and Republic of South Sudan Establish Diplomatic Ties". Vatican Information Service. 2013-02-22. Retrieved 2013-02-22.
- ^ Magister, Sandro (14 January 2010). "The Holy See's Diplomatic Net. Latest Acquisition: Russia". www.chiesa. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
- ^ a b "Vatican and Albania Establishing Relations". 8 September 1991. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ List of pastoral visits of Pope John Paul II outside Italy
- ^ "This page has been removed - News - The Guardian". the Guardian. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ Roman Catholicism in Albania
- ^ "Embassy of Vatican in Denmark". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ [dead link]"Vatican Resists Drive to Canonise EU Founder", by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, 19 August 2004
- ^ Luxmoore, Jonathan (7 May 2009). "Finding Catholic inspiration in the European Union". The Herald. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
- ^ "Almanac". United Press International. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
In 2001, Pope John Paul II flew to Greece to begin a journey retracing the steps of the Apostle Paul through historic lands. ...
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "To the first Ambassador of Republic of Iceland, 3 December 1977". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ a b "Diplomatic and Consular Information for the Holy See". Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
- ^ "Lithuania (nunciature)". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney.
- ^ "Malta (nunciature)". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney.
- ^ "Apostolic Nunciature of The Holy See (Vatican City) in Warsaw, Poland". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ Ambasciata della Repubblica di Polonia presso la Santa Sede (with map)
- ^ Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: direction of the Holy See’s embassy in Belgrade
- ^ Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: direction of the Serbian embassy to the Holy See
- ^ "Croatia: Myth and Reality". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ "Ukraine (nunciature)". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney.
- ^ British Embassy to the Holy See: "UK-Holy See relations"
- ^ "Holy See". Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Retrieved 2008-09-17.
Formal diplomatic links between the United Kingdom and the Holy See were first established in 1479 when John Shirwood was appointed as the first resident Ambassador. Shirwood was also the first English Ambassador to serve abroad, making the embassy to the Holy See the oldest embassy in the UK diplomatic service.
- ^ Argentine Ministry of Foreign Relations and Cult: direction of the Argentine embassy to the Holy See
- ^ "Argentine Ministry of Foreign Relations and Cult: Direction of the Holy See’s embassy in Buenos Aires"
- ^ Cody, Edward (10 July 1991). "Mexico Inches Toward Closer Church Ties". The Washington Post. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
Formal ties were cut in 1861 by a decree from Mexican president Benito Juarez that also ordered expulsion of the papal nuncio in the shortest time "absolutely necessary to prepare your trip."
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(help) - ^ a b Rohter, Larry (15 February 1990). "Mexico and Vatican Move Toward Restoring Ties". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 June 2009.
After more than a century of estrangement, the Mexican Government and the Vatican are suddenly moving toward re-establishing formal diplomatic relations and are also having informal talks on restoring some civil rights to the Roman Catholic Church here.
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(help) - ^ Golden, Tim (22 September 1992). "Mexico and the Catholic Church Restore Full Diplomatic Ties". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 September 2009.
Mexico and the Vatican re-established full diplomatic relations today after a break of more than 130 years, completing a reconciliation based on the Government's restoration of legal rights to religious groups earlier this year.
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(help) - ^ Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See in Mexico City (in Spanish)
- ^ "Bienvenidos a la portada". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ Lazreg, Marnia (2007). Torture and the Twilight of Empire: from Algiers to Baghdad. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-13135-X.
- ^ url=Lateran Treaty, article 24
- ^ Hofmann, Paul (12 March 1958). "Algerians Appeal to Vatican; New Peace Bid Made to Paris; Algeria Rebels in Plea to Pope". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 May 2009.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - ^ Horne, Alistair (1978). A Savage War of Peace: Algeria, 1954–1962. Viking Press. ISBN 0-670-61964-7.
- ^ "Kenya (nunciature)". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney.
- ^ "Pope Francis is going to Kenya - and here's what people are talking about". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
- ^ "Madagascar (nunciature)". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney.
- ^ "Nunciature to Rwanda". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney.
- ^ "Sudan (nunciature)". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney.
- ^ a b Israely, Jeff (26 November 2007). "Iran's Secret Weapon: The Pope". Time. Retrieved 14 June 2009.
... Iran, which has had diplomatic relations with the Holy See for 53 years ...
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(help) - ^ Moore, Malcolm (1 June 2008). "Pope Avoids Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad". Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 15 June 2009.
Relations between Iran and the Holy See are warming, and Mr Ahmadinejad said the Vatican was a "positive force for justice and peace" in April after meeting with the new nuncio to Iran, Archbishop Jean-Paul Gobel. Benedict is also thought to have the support of several leading Shia clerics, including Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Iraq.
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