Appointer The Pope Inaugural holder Nicola Canali | Term length Five years Formation 20 March 1939 | |
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Member of Council of Cardinals, Roman Curia, Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State Reports to The Pope, Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State | ||
The President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State is the leader of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, the legislative body of Vatican City. As a senior member of the Roman Curia, the President is normally a cardinal of the Catholic Church.
Description of the office
The President is appointed to a five-year term by the Pope. The holder of the office has since 2000 concurrently held the office of President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, which is distinct from the former title of Governor of Vatican City.
In addition to his legislative role, the President of the Governorate of Vatican City State is delegated executive authority for Vatican City by the Pope. Administrations and departments of Vatican City's government, including the Corpo della Gendarmeria, the Vatican Observatory, the Vatican Museums, and the Department of Pontifical Villas (which administers Castel Gandolfo) report to the Governorate.
The functions of the Governorate consists of:
During a sede vacante, the term of the president ends, as do most other offices in the Curia. However, the holder of the office prior to the death or resignation of the pope becomes a member of a Commission, with the former Cardinal Secretary of State and the Chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church, that handles some of the functions of the head of state until a new pope can be chosen.
The current President is Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, appointed to the position by Pope Benedict XVI on 1 October 2011.