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The post of Governor of Vatican City (Governatore dello Stato della Città del Vaticano in Italian) was held by Marchese Camillo Serafini from the foundation of the state in 1929 until his death in 1952. No successor was appointed, and the post itself was not mentioned in the Fundamental Law of Vatican City State issued by Pope John Paul II on 26 November 2000, which entered into force on 22 February 2001.
Even during the lifetime of Marchese Serafini, the powers of the Governor were limited by Pope Pius XII in 1939 by the establishment of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State—consisting of a number of cardinals, originally three, but later increased to seven. The President of this Commission has exercised since 1952 the functions that were previously attributed to the Governor. Since 2001, he is also given the title of President of the Governorate of the State of Vatican City.