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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 Roman Catholic Church. He is appointed to a five-year term by the Pope.^[1]

In addition to his legislative role, the President is delegated executive authority for Vatican City by the Pope,^[1] under the title President of the Governorate of Vatican City State.^[2] This title is distinct from the former title of Governor of Vatican City. 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.^[3]

The structure of the Governorate consists of:

Legal office
Office for Personnel
Office for Civil Records
Archives
Accounting Office
Numismatic and Philatelic office
Post and Telegraph office
Shipping office
Police Department
Tourist Information Office
Department of Museums and Galleries
Department of Econimic Services
Department of Technical Services
Vatican Observatory
Castel Gandolfo
Office for Archeological Research

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.^[4]

Prior to the death of Pope John Paul II, the President was Cardinal Edmund Szoka, the Archbishop of Detroit Emeritus. Pope Benedict XVI reappointed Cardinal Szoka to the position on 21 April 2005. On 22 June 2006, it was announced that Cardinal Szoka had resigned his position and would be replaced by Archbishop (later Cardinal) Giovanni Lajolo, effective 15 September 2006.

[edit] List of Presidents

Nicola Cardinal Canali, 1939-1961
Amleto Giovanni Cardinal Cicognani, 1961-1969
Jean-Marie Cardinal Villot, 1969-1979
Agostino Cardinal Casaroli, 1979-1984
Sebastiano Cardinal Baggio, 1984-1990
Rosalio José Cardinal Castillo Lara, 1990-1997
Edmund Cardinal Szoka, 1997-2006
Giovanni Cardinal Lajolo, 2006-present

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b Pope John Paul II (26 November 2000). "Fundamental Law of Vatican City State" (PDF). http://www.vaticanstate.va/NR/rdonlyres/3F574885-EAD5-47E9-A547-C3717005E861/2522/FundamentalLaw1.pdf. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
^ "Legislative and Executive Bodies". Office of the President of Vatican City State. 2007. http://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/StateDepartments/Legislative_and_executive_bodies.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
^ "Administrations and Central Offices". Office of the President of Vatican City State. http://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/Structure_Governorate/Administrations_and_Central_Offices.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
^ Pope John Paul II (22 February 1996). "Universi Dominici Gregis". http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_22021996_universi-dominici-gregis_en.html. Retrieved 2007-10-12.

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[fundamental_law-0] Pope John Paul II (26 November 2000). "Fundamental Law of Vatican City State" (PDF). http://www.vaticanstate.va/NR/rdonlyres/3F574885-EAD5-47E9-A547-C3717005E861/2522/FundamentalLaw1.pdf. Retrieved 2007-10-11.

[1] "Legislative and Executive Bodies". Office of the President of Vatican City State. 2007. http://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/StateDepartments/Legislative_and_executive_bodies.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-11.

[2] "Administrations and Central Offices". Office of the President of Vatican City State. http://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/Structure_Governorate/Administrations_and_Central_Offices.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-11.

[3] Pope John Paul II (22 February 1996). "Universi Dominici Gregis". http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_22021996_universi-dominici-gregis_en.html. Retrieved 2007-10-12.

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