The Vatican City State has a new website. For those who are wondering, the “Vatican” is a sovereign state. However, the “Holy See” refers to the chief apostolic “see” (i.e. seat) of Rome – the Pope’s diocese. The Holy Sees is the religious reality, and the Holy See governs the Vatican City State. The Holy See and the Vatican are thus two separate entities. The Vatican City State could disappear, but the Holy See would remain.

Newspapers usually refer to “the Vatican” and not to “the Holy See.” Whenever I see a report that reads, “Yesterday, the Vatican issued…” my first (rather uncharitable) thought right off the bat is, “This person doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” Only the Holy See issues statements concerning the the practice, doctrine, liturgy, etc. of the Church. I may be wrong, but I believe the only things that the Vatican issues are postage stamps and paychecks.

Interestingly enough, the Holy See is a member of the United Nations not as “Vatican City” but as “the Holy See”. Also, all diplomatic relations with foreign nations are with “the Holy See” and not “the Vatican”. For example, the United States has an ambassador in Rome as “Ambassador to the Holy See”. The Pope sends an ambassador to the United States who is called the “Papal Nuncio” (not an ambassador).