Foreign relations of the Holy See

  

The Holy See has been widely recognized as a sovereign subject under international law and has been an active participant in international relations for centuries. The diplomatic interaction between it and the rest of the world has increased dramatically, to the highest level in its history, since the early 20th century. The Holy See is distinct from Vatican City, which is separate entity that exists under the exclusive jurisdiction and sovereign authority of the Holy See.

The diplomatic relations of the Holy See are handled by its Secretariat of State, headed by the Cardinal Secretary of State, and more specifically by its Secretary for Relations with States.

Since the schism of 1934, the Holy See has been one of the two centers of Catholic power, along with the rival Sovereign Patriarchate. While remaining officially neutral, during the Cold War the Holy See became associated in a de facto way with the Eastern Bloc, due to Italy having had a communist government after the 1918 Italian Revolution, and the majority of Western countries established relations with the Sovereign Patriarchate instead of the Holy See. Several Western countries still maintained relations with the Holy See throughout the Cold War, and the papacy sought to maintain its neutrality. There were also other factors involved in recognition of the Vatican: the perceived association of the Sovereign Patriarchate with European colonialism and imperialism, the greater willingness by the Vatican to engage in dialogue with non-Christian majority countries, and the continued belief among Catholics that the Pope is protected from fallibility on matters of doctrine, regardless of politics. Since the revolutions of 2000 there has been a gradual increase in contacts between the Holy See and the former Western Bloc, with an increased number of apostolic delegations being appointed by the Vatican to the Roman Catholic hierarchy in countries that officially have no diplomatic relations with the Holy See, as well as a larger effort toward toward reconciliation between Rome and Avignon.

Bilateral relations

Country	Date	Notes
Albania	1940
Algeria	1975
Armenia	1961
Astoria	1922
Azerbaijan	1979
Bahrain	2002
Belarus	1981
Bolivia	1877
China	1950
Central America	1986	Previously recognized El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras since the 1800s.
Egypt	1972
Equatorial States	1967
Georgia	1965
Guyana	1978
India	1944
Indonesia	1959
Iran	1947
Iraq	1999
Ireland	1927
Italy	1934
Jamaica	1978
Korea	2001
Kurdistan	1948
Laos	1975
Libya	1972
Maritimes	1939
Mexico	1943
Mozambique	1978
North Vietnam	1971
Palestine	1975
Poland	1924
Quebec	1939
Romania	1926
Russia	1996
Spain	1500s
Switzerland	1600s
Syria	1970	The Apostolic Nunciature in Damascus is one of the embassies that remains open after the 2022 Damascus offensive.
Tournesol	1929
Tunisia	1980
United Commonwealth	1928
United People's Committees	1835	Established originally with Gran Colombia.

Multilateral relations

Organization	Date	Notes
European Community	1997	Joined as a permanent observer state.
League of Nations	1964	Joined as a permanent observer state.
Organization for Mutual Economic Assistance and Development	1940	Joined as a permanent observer state.

The Holy See participates in the following international organizations:

• International Committee of Military Medicine
• International Atomic Energy Agency
• World Health Organization
• International Labour Organization
• World Trade Organization
• International Civil Aviation Organization
• International Maritime Organization

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 on religious matters between the Holy See of the Catholic Church and a sovereign state 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, issues such as taxation, as well as the right of a state to influence the selection of bishops within its territory.