Ewolucja funkcji i roli Sekretariatu Stanu na tle Statusu Międzynarodowego Kurii Rzymskiej i Gubernatoratu Watykanu

The Secretariat (and Secretary of State) of the Holy See has wide-ranging competences in the foreign (including treaty) sphere. Their scope can be compared to the competences of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (and the Ministry) and the Council of Ministers in sovereign states. The Secretary of State's internal and international position is further enhanced by direct contact and close cooperation with the Pope. The powers of the Secretary of State vis-à-vis the Roman Curia also deserve to be highlighted; in this aspect they can be compared to those of a prime minister. In addition, the Secretary of State has certain powers in the strictly religious sphere and also in the promulgation of legislation. The latter powers may resemble those of the president (head of state) in sovereign states. Such a similarity also emerges with the external representational powers of the Secretary (e.g. re-visits for official visits by heads of state to the Pope).The powers of the Secretary of State vis-à-vis the Governorate of Vatican should also be considered interesting. In the juridical sphere, it is the Secretariat of State that prepares international agreements and its head signs them. On the other hand, the fact that the office of Governor has not been filled for forty years also increases the influence of the Secretary on the Vatican City-State authorities in other areas as well. Not only the phenomenon of the dual international legal subjectivity and the position and nature of the Head of State, but also the external position and the internal relations of the State Secretariat with the various organs of power (of both entities) are completely unique.