In Roman Catholicism, a Di diritto pontificio (loosely under papal law) institution is a secular institute, religious institute or Society of Apostolic Life

Society of Apostolic Life

A society of apostolic life is a group of men or women within the Catholic Church who have come together for a specific purpose. Unlike members of an institute of consecrated life , members of apostolic societies do not make religious vows...

 set up by 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...

or approved by a formal decree from the See. Such an institution depends directly and exclusively on the Apostolic See for its internal regime and discipline.