THE SPECIFICITY OF THE HOLY SEE AS A PARTICIPANT IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Abstract

The article highlights the status of the Holy See in the international arena as the oldest sovereign subject of international law. Unlike nation-states, whose international personality is based on territorial sovereignty, the Holy See possesses a spiritual sovereignty, which makes its international status unique. Based on the study of international agreements, the arch of canon law of the Roman Catholic Church and the Holy See documents, the article examines the specificity of participation of the Holy See in international relations at different levels.

Keywords

• holy see
• the vatican
• the pope's legate
• the apostolic nuncio
• the roman catholic church
• code of canon law
• international personality
• sovereignty of the holy see