The Holy See’s diplomatic corps – gathered en masse for their triennial meeting last week – has had its prominence and power restored under Pope Francis. But a new openness about abuses of that power means that diplomatic culture must change in nunciatures the world over.
Since the reforms of St Paul VI, the Roman Curia has had two centres of gravity, the Secretariat of State – responsible for administration and diplomacy – and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), the “supreme” congregation for doctrine and discipline, whose nihil obstat is required for all major personnel decisions.
Under St John Paul II and his chief lieutenant, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the CDF increased in influence. That was extended with the election of Benedict XVI in 2005, and the selection of his former deputy at the CDF, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, as the new Secretary of State. A doctrine man was in charge of the diplomats.
