Thomas,

I know you probably know this, and you probably used the words "President of the Vatican City State" for headline effect, but there is no such office.

Card. Szoka was president of the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State and Governor (head of the Governatorato) of Vatican City.

The point is relevant because "President of the Vatican City State", apart from being a title that does not exist, denotes the idea of a head of State. And the Vatican's head of State is the Pope himself, not any deputy of him. The Pope is the 'Sovereign of the Vatican City State'.

Also, the Vatican Fundamental Law grants full executive, legislative and judicial authority to the Pope in its first article. Card. Szoka is a mere deputy and agent of the Sovereign.

The same question of words arises in other countries. Spain is a classic example.

Spain is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. It has a King, who is the head of State. But it also has a prime minister, called "The President of the Spanish Government". That is the PM's title. However, one cannot call that officer "President of Spain", because that would imply head of State status, and the head of State is the king.
Prof Antonio Basto | 06.22.06 - 7:35 pm | #

as always, thank you for the clarifications and comments, Professor.
AmericanPapist | Homepage | 06.27.06 - 2:23 am | #