Vatican

Fülszöveg

The Historical Outlines contained in
the Papal Yearbook read as follows: " The
Vatican City State came into being as
a result of the Lateran Treaty, signed
between the Holy See and Italy on 11
February 1929. In terms of international
public law, it is universally recognized as a
Sovereign Body, distinct from the Holy
See. The Supreme Pontiff is the Head
of the State and he holds all legislative,
judiciary and executive power. When the
See is vacant these powers revert to the
College of Cardinals.
Through the offices of the Secretariat
of State the Pope represents the Vatican
State in its contacts with all foreign
States, in the signing of Treaties and in all
normal diplomatic relations. The Pope is
also responsible for approving budgets and
financial statements.
Apart from the above-mentioned excep-
tions, the legislative and executive powers
are exercised, in accordance with the Law
on the Government of the State, passed on
24 June 1969 (no. LI), by the... Tovább

Fülszöveg

The Historical Outlines contained in
the Papal Yearbook read as follows: " The
Vatican City State came into being as
a result of the Lateran Treaty, signed
between the Holy See and Italy on 11
February 1929. In terms of international
public law, it is universally recognized as a
Sovereign Body, distinct from the Holy
See. The Supreme Pontiff is the Head
of the State and he holds all legislative,
judiciary and executive power. When the
See is vacant these powers revert to the
College of Cardinals.
Through the offices of the Secretariat
of State the Pope represents the Vatican
State in its contacts with all foreign
States, in the signing of Treaties and in all
normal diplomatic relations. The Pope is
also responsible for approving budgets and
financial statements.
Apart from the above-mentioned excep-
tions, the legislative and executive powers
are exercised, in accordance with the Law
on the Government of the State, passed on
24 June 1969 (no. LI), by the Supreme
Pontiff through a Commission of Cardi-
nals, personally nominated by the Holy
Father himself for five-year terms of
office.
This Commission, which is responsible
for the General Directorates, for the Of-
fices and Services, as well as for the Dir-
ectorates of the Governorship, is assisted
by a Special Delegate nominated by the
Supreme Pontiff.
A Chirograph by John Paul II, dated 6
April 1984, conferred a special mandate
on the Cardinal Secretary of State as re-
presentative of the Holy Father in matters
concerning the civil government of the Va-
tican City State, the exercise of power
and responsibility connected to the tem-
poral sovereignty of the State, with an ob-
ligation to refer back to the Pope only in
cases of exceptional gravity."
This Guide to the Vatican, which in-
cludes an authoritative introduction by
Giulio Sacchetti, the Papal Commission's
Special Delegate for the Vatican City
State, contains all the information any vi-
sitor needs to know and remember after a
tour of the Vatican: clear, accurate and
concise information about everything that
he will see in the Museums, the Palaces,
St. Peter's Basilica and all the other
monuments in the Vatican, with special
reference to the historical background and
ample description of all the major works
of art.
CARLO PIETRANG ELI
Director General of the Vatican Museums Vissza