Secretariat of State
The Secretariat of State is the papal secretariat that closely assists the Roman Pontiff in his universal mission and coordinates central affairs of the Holy See.
Nature of the office
It handles general affairs of the papal service, relations with states and international organizations, and coordination where the Pope entrusts matters spanning multiple curial institutions. Its diplomatic service includes apostolic nunciatures.
Canonical place
The Secretariat’s authority is administrative and vicarious, governed by Praedicate evangelium and papal direction. It neither replaces the doctrinal competence of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith nor the judicial competence of the Church’s tribunals. Its coordinating role serves the unity of papal governance without absorbing the proper competence of those institutions.[1][2]
References
- Back to citation Code of Canon Law, canons 360–361 and Praedicate evangelium — Universal or special law governing the office and its competence.
- Back to citation Pope Francis, Praedicate evangelium, arts. 44–52 — Current law defining the sections and competence of the Secretariat of State.