VATICAN CITY — The Holy See may be the world’s smallest sovereign state, but it maintains one of the world’s oldest and most extensive diplomatic networks.

With diplomatic relations spanning more than 180 sovereign states, the European Union, and 184 apostolic nunciatures around the world, the Holy See works to strengthen relations between the Church and nations while promoting peace and dialogue.

A truly global mission

According to Francis X. Rocca, EWTN Senior Vatican Analyst, the Holy See’s diplomatic reach extends well beyond its official embassies.

“The Holy See has an enormous diplomatic network. It has relations with more than 180 sovereign states and the European Union.”

“It has these nuncios, these envoys all over the world. But beyond that it has a capillary network through bishops, pastors, nuns and Catholic laity all over the world.”

“And it has a truly informed global consciousness because the Catholic Church is present practically everywhere.”

The Vatican Secretariat of State coordinates this worldwide diplomatic mission from the heart of Vatican City.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, says the Holy See’s diplomacy is closely linked to the Pope’s constant appeals for peace.

“When we hear the Holy Father speaking, he always appeals for peace, for a peaceful solution of the conflicts everywhere. And the Secretariat of State and the diplomacy of the Holy See is trying to put this call into action.”

The mission of a papal nuncio

Archbishop Georg Gänswein knows that mission well.

After serving for 21 years as the private secretary of Pope Benedict XVI and later as prefect of the Papal Household under Pope Francis, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia in 2024.

He describes Vatican diplomacy as one of the Church’s greatest strengths.

“Vatican diplomacy is one of the oldest in the world. And it’s not just wine that benefits from age. So does the wealth of experience that comes with it.”

As the pope’s representative to the Baltic states, Archbishop Gänswein serves as an important bridge between the Holy See, the local Church, and civil authorities.

“A simple example, when a head of state is scheduled to visit the Vatican, the apostolic nuncio is asked for an assessment. What is the situation in the country? What are relations between the Church and the state like? What is the mood among the clergy and so on.”

“The same process takes place on the government side. This exchange of information and perspectives is extremely important.”

Listening before speaking

Asked what qualities define a successful Vatican diplomat, Archbishop Gänswein emphasized discretion and attentive listening.

“First of all, a Vatican diplomat does not speak much in public.”

“Also, he must keep all his senses open, observing, listening and carefully assessing the situation. What is happening? What matters most? Where can I as a nuncio contribute and where must I intervene?”

“That is why it is important for a nuncio to be approachable and willing to listen. He needs to take on board ideas and concerns while also recognizing where problems may need to be addressed and resolved.”

Serving the Holy Father

Bishop Fredrik Hansen of Oslo followed an unexpected path into the Holy See’s diplomatic service.

Raised Protestant, he later became a Catholic priest before joining the Vatican’s diplomatic corps.

“I also considered a diplomatic service for Norway when I was coming to university… in the providence of God I eventually ended up in the diplomatic corps of the Holy See.”

His diplomatic assignments took him from Honduras to the Holy See’s missions at the United Nations in Vienna and New York.

“I found it very interesting, very rewarding and challenging. I was first in the nunciature in Honduras in Central America which is largely about being the connection between the Holy See, the Apostolic See, the Vatican and the local Church. But then I spent more than six years in multilateral diplomacy… first in Vienna in Austria and then in New York at the headquarters of the United Nations.”

“So that was a completely different kind of diplomatic work. Going to meetings, preparing speeches for the nuncio.”

A unique moral voice

As conflicts continue around the world, the Holy See relies on its diplomatic network to promote peace and dialogue.

Francis X. Rocca believes the Pope occupies a unique place among global leaders.

“The Pope emerged as a preeminent religious figure in the world. He obviously doesn’t speak for everyone, but there’s no other religious leader like the Pope. And so in a sense for many people he stands as the representative of organized religion. And so that gives him a kind of global moral authority and credibility.”

Archbishop Gänswein says that even those distant from the Church recognize the value of its voice.

“And even many parliamentarians who prefer to keep their distance from the Church recognize that an institution as large and as old as the Church still has an important voice. They understand that it is wise listening to.”

Adapted by Jacob Stein.