This is alist of diplomatic missions of the Holy See. Since the fifth century, long before the founding of theVatican City State in 1929, papal envoys (now known asnuncios) have represented theHoly See to foreign potentates. Additionally, papal representatives known not as nuncios but as apostolic delegates ensure contact between the Holy See and the Catholic Church in countries that do not have diplomatic relations with the Holy See.
At present, there is one residential apostolic delegate, for Jerusalem and Palestine, as well as non-residential delegates for four countries (Brunei,Laos,Mauritania, andSomalia) and for the territories and countries without diplomatic relations with the Holy See in three regions (theArabian Peninsula, the Caribbean, the Pacific Ocean). ForVietnam, the 21st-century appointees of the Holy See have been given the title "pontifical representative".[a] In keeping with the "one China" policy, no representative is appointed formainland China, and the Holy See is represented inTaipei by an apostolic nunciature, headed not by a nuncio, but only by achargé d'affaires.
In addition to the countries mentioned above that have apostolic delegations, the following nations do not have diplomatic relations with the Holy See:Afghanistan,Bhutan,North Korea,Saudi Arabia, andTuvalu.[3]
In most respects the status of the diplomatic missions of theHoly See are identical with those of other countries, with the exception of the nomenclature: apostolic nuncios have ambassadorial rank and apostolic nunciatures are ranked as embassies. However, in most countries of central and western Europe and of central and southern America, as well as in a few countries elsewhere, the nuncio is granted precedence over other ambassadors and is dean of the diplomatic corps from the moment he presents his credentials.[citation needed] The Holy See, which does not issuevisas, does not haveconsulates.
Apostolic delegates and their missions do not have diplomatic status as nuncios and nunciatures do.
In countries that allow it, the apostolic nunciature is sometimes, though rarely, located outside the capital, perhaps in towns with particularly important religious connections, such as the village ofRabat inMalta, the site ofSaint Paul's grotto, andHarissa in Lebanon whereMaronite,Greek Orthodox andMelkite Greek Catholic Church authorities are located. In other countries that is not permitted: when India opened diplomatic relations with the Holy See, the apostolic delegation moved fromBangalore to the capital,New Delhi; and in Australia the mission moved fromSydney toCanberra. InIsrael, the nunciature is located inTel Aviv.
Listed below are the Holy See's apostolic nunciatures, apostolic delegations, and observer or representative missions to international governmental organizations — such as theUnited Nations, theCouncil of Europe and theArab League.[4]
Armenia
Bangladesh
Republic of China (Taiwan)
Georgia
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Kuwait
Lebanon
Malaysia
Pakistan
Palestine
Philippines
Singapore
South Korea
Sri Lanka
Syria
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
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The following nunciatures are among those that have ceased to exist:
... has been appointed the Holy See's ambassador to Great Britain.
Il Santo Padre ha nominato Nunzio Apostolico in Gran Bretagna...
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