Cardinal Secretary of State
Encyclopedia
The Cardinal Secretary of State—officially Secretary of State of His Holiness The Pope—presides over the Holy See
, usually known as the "Vatican", Secretariat of State
, which is the oldest and most important dicastery
of the Roman Curia
. The Cardinal Secretary is regarded as being in charge of the political and diplomatic activities of the Holy See
and is thus referred to as being the Holy See's "Prime Minister
".
The current Cardinal Secretary of State is Tarcisio Bertone of Italy, who has served since 15 September 2006.
, and serves as one of his principal advisors. As one of the senior offices in the Roman Catholic Church
, the Secretary is required to be a cardinal
. If the office is vacant, a non-cardinal may serve as Pro-Secretary of State, exercising the powers of the Secretary of State until a suitable replacement is found or the Pro-Secretary is made a cardinal in a subsequent consistory
.
The Cardinal Secretary's term ends when the Pope who appointed him dies or leaves office. During the sede vacante
period, the former Secretary acts as a member of a commission with the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church and the former President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State
, which exercises some of the functions of the head of state
of the Vatican City until a new Pope is elected. Once the new Pope is chosen, the former Secretary's role in the commission likewise expires, though he can be (and usually is) re-appointed as Secretary of State.
in the early 16th century to handle correspondence with the diplomatic missions of the Holy See
, which were just beginning to become permanent postings instead of missions sent on particular occasions. At this stage the secretary was a fairly minor functionary, the Vatican administration being led by the Cardinal Nephew
, the Pope's confidant usually taken from his family.
The imprudence of Pope Julius III
in entrusting the office of Cardinal Nephew to his alleged lover Innocenzo Ciocchi Del Monte
, a teenaged, virtually illiterate street urchin whom his brother had adopted a few years earlier, led to an upgrading of the Secretary's job, as the incumbent had to take over the duties the Cardinal Nephew was unfit for. By the time of Pope Innocent X
the Secretary of State was always himself a Cardinal, and Pope Innocent XII
abolished the office of Cardinal Nephew in 1692. From then onwards the Secretary of State has been the most important of the officials of the Holy See.
In 1968, Pope Paul VI
's apostolic constitution Regimini Ecclesiae Universae further enhanced the powers of the Secretary, placing him over all the other departments of the Roman Curia
. In 1973 Paul further broadened the Secretaryship by abolishing the ancient office of Chancellor of the Holy Roman Church and merging its functions into those of the Secretary.
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
, usually known as the "Vatican", Secretariat of State
Secretariat of State (Vatican)
The Secretariat of State is the oldest dicastery in the Roman Curia, the government of the Roman Catholic Church. It is headed by the Cardinal Secretary of State, Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B., and performs all the political and diplomatic functions of Vatican City and the Holy See...
, which is the oldest and most important dicastery
Dicastery
Dicastery is an Italicism sometimes used in English to refer to the Departments of the Roman Curia....
of the Roman Curia
Roman Curia
The Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body of the entire Catholic Church, together with the Pope...
. The Cardinal Secretary is regarded as being in charge of the political and diplomatic activities of the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
and is thus referred to as being the Holy See's "Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
".
The current Cardinal Secretary of State is Tarcisio Bertone of Italy, who has served since 15 September 2006.
Duties
The Cardinal Secretary is appointed by the PopePope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
, and serves as one of his principal advisors. As one of the senior offices in the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, the Secretary is required to be a cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
. If the office is vacant, a non-cardinal may serve as Pro-Secretary of State, exercising the powers of the Secretary of State until a suitable replacement is found or the Pro-Secretary is made a cardinal in a subsequent consistory
Consistory
-Antiquity:Originally, the Latin word consistorium meant simply 'sitting together', just as the Greek synedrion ....
.
The Cardinal Secretary's term ends when the Pope who appointed him dies or leaves office. During the sede vacante
Sede vacante
Sede vacante is an expression, used in the Canon Law of the Catholic Church, that refers to the vacancy of the episcopal see of a particular church...
period, the former Secretary acts as a member of a commission with the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church and the former President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State
President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State
The President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State is the leader of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, the legislative body of Vatican City. As a senior member of the Roman Curia, the president is normally a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church...
, which exercises some of the functions of the head of state
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
of the Vatican City until a new Pope is elected. Once the new Pope is chosen, the former Secretary's role in the commission likewise expires, though he can be (and usually is) re-appointed as Secretary of State.
History
The office traces its origins to that of secretary intimus, created by Pope Leo XPope Leo X
Pope Leo X , born Giovanni di Lorenzo de' Medici, was the Pope from 1513 to his death in 1521. He was the last non-priest to be elected Pope. He is known for granting indulgences for those who donated to reconstruct St. Peter's Basilica and his challenging of Martin Luther's 95 Theses...
in the early 16th century to handle correspondence with the diplomatic missions of the Holy See
Diplomatic missions of the Holy See
This is a list of diplomatic missions of the Holy See. Since the fifth century, long before the founding of the Vatican City State in 1929, papal envoys have represented the Holy See to foreign potentates...
, which were just beginning to become permanent postings instead of missions sent on particular occasions. At this stage the secretary was a fairly minor functionary, the Vatican administration being led by the Cardinal Nephew
Cardinal-nephew
A cardinal-nephew is a cardinal elevated by a Pope who is that cardinal's uncle, or, more generally, his relative. The practice of creating cardinal-nephews originated in the Middle Ages, and reached its apex during the 16th and 17th centuries. The word nepotism originally referred specifically to...
, the Pope's confidant usually taken from his family.
The imprudence of Pope Julius III
Pope Julius III
Pope Julius III , born Giovanni Maria Ciocchi del Monte, was Pope from 7 February 1550 to 1555....
in entrusting the office of Cardinal Nephew to his alleged lover Innocenzo Ciocchi Del Monte
Innocenzo Ciocchi Del Monte
Innocenzo Ciocchi Del Monte was a 16th century Cardinal, and the centre of scandal in his time. He was raised to his position at the age of 17 by the newly-elected Del Monte Pope Julius III, with whom he had been living for some years; he proved totally unsuited to hold office, and his continuing...
, a teenaged, virtually illiterate street urchin whom his brother had adopted a few years earlier, led to an upgrading of the Secretary's job, as the incumbent had to take over the duties the Cardinal Nephew was unfit for. By the time of Pope Innocent X
Pope Innocent X
Pope Innocent X , born Giovanni Battista Pamphilj , was Pope from 1644 to 1655. Born in Rome of a family from Gubbio in Umbria who had come to Rome during the pontificate of Pope Innocent IX, he graduated from the Collegio Romano and followed a conventional cursus honorum, following his uncle...
the Secretary of State was always himself a Cardinal, and Pope Innocent XII
Pope Innocent XII
Pope Innocent XII , born Antonio Pignatelli, was Pope from 1691 to 1700.-Biography:He was born in Spinazzola to one of the most aristocratic families of the Kingdom of Naples, which included many Viceroys, and ministers to the crown, and was educated at the Jesuit college in Rome.In his twentieth...
abolished the office of Cardinal Nephew in 1692. From then onwards the Secretary of State has been the most important of the officials of the Holy See.
In 1968, Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
's apostolic constitution Regimini Ecclesiae Universae further enhanced the powers of the Secretary, placing him over all the other departments of the Roman Curia
Roman Curia
The Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body of the entire Catholic Church, together with the Pope...
. In 1973 Paul further broadened the Secretaryship by abolishing the ancient office of Chancellor of the Holy Roman Church and merging its functions into those of the Secretary.
Secretaries of State between 1551 and 1644
- Girolamo Dandini (1551–1555)
- Carlo Borromeo (1560–1565)
- Tolomeo GallioTolomeo GallioTolomeo Gallio was an Italian Cardinal.In the time of Pope Gregory XIII, he acted as papal secretary of state , having a key role in the curia....
(1565–1566) - Girolamo Rusticucci (1566–1572)
- Tolomeo GallioTolomeo GallioTolomeo Gallio was an Italian Cardinal.In the time of Pope Gregory XIII, he acted as papal secretary of state , having a key role in the curia....
(again) (1572–1585) - Decio Azzolini (seniore) (1585–1587)
- Alessandro Peretti de Montalto (Cardinal-Nephew) (1587–1590)
- Paolo Emilio SfondratiPaolo Emilio SfondratiPaolo Emilio Sfondrati was an Italian Cardinal.Born to a noble family in Milan and the nephew of Pope Gregory XIV, he was the cardinal priest of Santa Cecilia, papal legate in Bologna, member of the Congregation of the Sant'Offizio and a good friend of San Filippo Neri.He was bishop of Cremona,...
(Cardinal-Nephew) (1591) - Giovanni Antonio Facchinetti de Nuce (Cardinal-Nephew) (1591)
- Pierbenedetto Peretti (1592–1593)
- Pietro AldobrandiniPietro AldobrandiniPietro Aldobrandini was an Italian Cardinal and patron of the arts.He was made a cardinal in 1593 by his uncle, Pope Clement VIII. He took over the duchy of Ferrara in 1598 when it fell to the Papal States...
(Cardinal-Nephew) (1593–1605) - Erminio Valenti (1605)
- Lanfranco Margotti (1605–1611)
- Porifrio Feliciani (1611–1621)
- Giovanni Battista Agucchi (1621–1623)
- Lorenzo Magalotti (1623–1628)
- Lorenzo Azzolini (1628–1632)
- Pietro Benessa (1632–1634)
- Francesco Ceva (1634–1643)
- Giovanni Battista Spada (1643–1644)
Cardinal Secretaries of State since 1644
- Giovanni Giacomo PanciroliGiovanni Giacomo PanciroliGiovanni Giacomo Panciroli was an Italian Catholic Cardinal and Cardinal Secretary of State.Panciroli was born in 1587 in Rome and was educated there, receiving a doctorate utroque iure in 1605....
(1644–1651) - Fabio ChigiPope Alexander VIIPope Alexander VII , born Fabio Chigi, was Pope from 7 April 1655, until his death.- Early life :Born in Siena, a member of the illustrious banking family of Chigi and a great-nephew of Pope Paul V , he was privately tutored and eventually received doctorates of philosophy, law, and theology from...
(1651–1655); then elected Pope Alexander VIIPope Alexander VIIPope Alexander VII , born Fabio Chigi, was Pope from 7 April 1655, until his death.- Early life :Born in Siena, a member of the illustrious banking family of Chigi and a great-nephew of Pope Paul V , he was privately tutored and eventually received doctorates of philosophy, law, and theology from...
(1655–1667) - Giulio RospigliosiPope Clement IXPope Clement IX , born Giulio Rospigliosi, was Pope from 1667 to 1669.-Early life:Born Giulio Rospigliosi to a noble family of Pistoia, Grand Duchy of Tuscany, he was a pupil of the Jesuits. After receiving his doctorate in philosophy at the University of Pisa, he taught theology there...
(1655–1667); then elected Pope Clement IXPope Clement IXPope Clement IX , born Giulio Rospigliosi, was Pope from 1667 to 1669.-Early life:Born Giulio Rospigliosi to a noble family of Pistoia, Grand Duchy of Tuscany, he was a pupil of the Jesuits. After receiving his doctorate in philosophy at the University of Pisa, he taught theology there...
(1667–1669) - Decio Azzolini the younger (1667–1669)
- Federico Borromeo junior (1670–1673)
- Francesco Nerli (1673–1676)
- Alderano CyboAlderano Cybothumb|250 px|Cardinal Alderano CyboAlderano Cybo was an Italian Catholic Cardinal.-Biography:Cybo was born 16 July 1613 in Genoa and went to Rome at an early age as prelate to Pope Urban VIII....
(1676–1689) - Giambattista Rubini (1689–1691)
- Fabrizio SpadaFabrizio SpadaFabrizio Spada was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, and served as Secretary of State under Pope Innocent XII.-Life:...
(1691–1700) - Fabrizio PaolucciFabrizio PaolucciFabrizio Paolucci was a Italian cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church, appointed by Pope Innocent XII.-Biography:He went to Rome at the age of eight, 1659, to be educated by his grand-uncle, Francesco Paolucci...
(1700–1721) (first time) - Giorgio Spinola (1721–1724)
- Fabrizio PaolucciFabrizio PaolucciFabrizio Paolucci was a Italian cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church, appointed by Pope Innocent XII.-Biography:He went to Rome at the age of eight, 1659, to be educated by his grand-uncle, Francesco Paolucci...
(1724–1726) (second time) - Niccolò Maria Lercari (1726–1730)
- Antonio Banchieri (1730–1733)
- Giuseppe Firrao sr (1733–1740)
- Silvio Valenti GonzagaSilvio Valenti GonzagaSilvio Valenti Gonzaga was an Italian nobleman and Catholic priest.Gonzaga was born in Mantua. He was elevated to the rank of cardinal in 1738 by Pope Clement XII. On the 15 May 1747 he was given the titular church of San Callisto...
(1740–1756) - Alberico ArchintoAlberico ArchintoAlberico Archinto — was an Italian cardinal and papal diplomat.He entered the Roman Curia in 1724. Twelve years later he was ordained to the priesthood, and on November 1, 1739 received episcopal consecration as titular archbishop of Nicea...
(1756–1758) - Ludovico Maria Torriggiani (1758–1769)
- Lazzaro Opizio Pallavicini (1769–1785)
- Ignazio Boncompagni Ludovisi (1785–1789)
- Francesco Saverio de ZeladaFrancesco Saverio de ZeladaFrancesco Saverio [de] Zelada was a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, born of a Spanish family, who served in the Papal Curia and in the diplomatic service of the Holy See....
(1789–1796) - Ignazio BuscaIgnazio BuscaIgnazio Busca was an Italian cardinal and Secretary of State of the Holy See. He was the last son of Lodovico Busca, marquess of Lomagna and Bianca Arconati Visconti. he took a degree in utroque iure in 1759 at the Università La Sapienza of Rome...
(1796–1797) - Giuseppe Doria PamphiliGiuseppe Doria PamphiliGiuseppe Doria Pamphili is a Italian Cardinal of the XVIIIth and XIXth centuries and served as Cardinal Secretary of State.-Biography:...
(1797–1799) - Ercole Consalvi, pro-secretary (1800); secretary (1800–1806)
- Filippo Casoni (1806–1808)
- Giulio Gabrielli the YoungerGiulio Gabrielli the YoungerGiulio Gabrielli was an Italian Catholic Church's cardinal. He spent most of his career in the Roman Curia....
(1808–1814) -Giuseppe Doria Pamphilj, pro-secretary (1808) -Bartolomeo Pacca, pro-secretary (1808–1814) - Ercole Consalvi (1814–1823)
- Giulio Maria della SomagliaGiulio Maria della Somaglia-External links:*...
(1823–1828) - Tommaso Bernetti, pro-secretary (1828–1829) (first time)
- Giuseppe Albani (1829–1830)
- Tommaso Bernetti, pro-secretary (1831); cardinal secretary (1831–1836) (second time)
- Luigi LambruschiniLuigi LambruschiniLuigi Lambruschini was an Italian cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church in the mid nineteenth century.-Biography:...
(1836–1846) - Tommaso Pasquale GizziTommaso Pasquale GizziTommaso Pasquale Gizzi was an Italian prelate who rose to the highest ranks of the Catholic Church during the first half of the 19th century.-Life and career:...
(1846–1847) - Gabriele FerrettiGabriele FerrettiGabriele Ferretti was an Italian Catholic Cardinal and Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals.-Personal life:Ferretti was born on 31 January 1795 in Ancona....
(1847–1848) - Giuseppe Bofondi (1848–1848)
- Giacomo AntonelliGiacomo AntonelliGiacomo Antonelli was an Italian cardinal deacon. He was the Cardinal Secretary of State from 1848 until his death; he played a key role in Italian politics, resisting the unification of Italy and affecting Roman Catholic interests in European affairs...
(1848–1848)(first time) - Anton Orioli (1848–1848), cardinal secretary ad interim
- Giovanni Soglia Ceroni (1848–1848)
- Giacomo AntonelliGiacomo AntonelliGiacomo Antonelli was an Italian cardinal deacon. He was the Cardinal Secretary of State from 1848 until his death; he played a key role in Italian politics, resisting the unification of Italy and affecting Roman Catholic interests in European affairs...
(1848–1876) (second time) - Giovanni SimeoniGiovanni SimeoniGiovanni Simeoni was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for Propagation of the Faith from 1878 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1875....
(1876–1878) - Alessandro Franchi (1878–1878)
- Lorenzo NinaLorenzo NinaLorenzo Nina was an Italian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. A longtime member of the Roman Curia, he served as Prefect of the Congregation for Studies , Vatican Secretary of State , and Prefect of the Congregation of the Council...
(1878–1880) - Luigi JacobiniLuigi JacobiniLuigi Jacobini was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Vatican Secretary of State from 1880 until his death and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1879.-Biography:...
(1880–1887) - Mariano Rampolla (1887–1903)
- Rafael Merry del Val (1903–1914)
- Domenico Ferrata (Sept–Oct 1914)
- Pietro GasparriPietro GasparriPietro Gasparri was a Roman Catholic archbishop, diplomat and politician in the Roman Curia and signatory of the Lateran Pacts.- Biography :...
(1914–1930) - Eugenio PacelliPope Pius XIIThe Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
(1930–1939) then elected Pope Pius XIIPope Pius XIIThe Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958.... - Luigi Maglione (1939–1944)
- Domenico Tardini (1958–1961)
- Amleto Giovanni Cicognani (1961–1969)
- Jean-Marie Villot (1969–1979)
- Agostino Casaroli (1979–1990)
- Angelo SodanoAngelo SodanoAngelo Sodano is an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the current Dean of the College of Cardinals and former Vatican Secretary of State, having held that post from 1990 to 2006, under both popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI...
(1991–2006) - Tarcisio Bertone (2006–present)