1939: Vatican, The

The Vatican Palace in Rome is the administrative center of the Catholic Church. Not intended and built as a residence, nevertheless it has served that purpose continually since 1870 for the Pope, the Papal Secretary of State, the highest court officials in attendance upon the Pope, and some scientific and administrative officials. Most of the palace is used in the interest of art and science, or is employed for the administration of the affairs of the Church.

The term 'Vatican' also generally epitomizes the activity of the Church, especially in world affairs. This activity has been greatly accelerated in 1939 due to complications in the international sphere. An indication of the importance of the Vatican as a great moral force in the world is the increased number of foreign representatives accredited to the Holy See. Of the thirty-eight countries represented at the Vatican, the following have ambassadorial rank: Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Poland, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Belgium, Colombia, Peru and Rumania.

Towards the close of 1939 President Roosevelt announced the appointment of Myron C. Taylor as his personal representative at the Vatican, to serve with the rank of ambassador, but without portfolio, in the interests of world peace.

The other countries represented at the Vatican are: Bolivia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Estonia, Great Britain, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Yugoslavia, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Monaco, Nicaragua, Panama, Portugal, Rumania, Salvador, San Marino, Santo Domingo, Slovakia, Uruguay and Venezuela. The Order of Malta also has a representative.

The Vatican is represented in the principal countries of the world by an apostolic nuncio, internuncio, chargé d'affairs, or by an apostolic delegate. Apostolic delegates are representatives of the Holy See without diplomatic character, who ordinarily concern themselves solely with spiritual affaires, as in the United States, Great Britain and Japan. A nuncio or internuncio is the dean of the diplomatic corps in the country where he represents the Holy See, as in Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Estonia, France, Germany, Guatemala, Haiti, Holland, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Salvador, Santo Domingo, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Yugoslavia.

Vatican City, a part of the former papal states, is ruled as an independent state by the Holy See since the signing of the Lateran Treaty with Italy in 1929. With extra-territorial possessions, mostly churches and palaces, together with Castel Gandolfo, the property amounts to approximately 160 acres. The population numbers about one thousand, of whom the greater majority are of Italian origin. The legal system is based on Canon Law, with a court of first instance for civil and criminal cases. The administration of Vatican City and its civil offices is entrusted to a commission of Cardinals.