Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State


The Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City is the legislative body of Vatican City. It consists of the President of the Pontifical Commission, who is also the President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, and six other cardinals appointed by the pope for five-year terms.
The Pontifical Commission was created in 1939 by Pius XII. Laws and regulations proposed by the Commission must be submitted to the pope through the Secretariat of State prior to being made public and taking effect. Laws, regulations, and instructions enacted by the Commission are published in the Acta Apostolicae Sedis.

Current members

Current

Since 2018, the president and the members are:
PositionCardinalCountryOther positions
PresidentCardinal Giuseppe Bertello ItalyPresident of the Governorate of Vatican City State
MembersCardinal Kevin J. Farrell IrelandCamerlengo of the Holy Roman Church
Prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life
MembersCardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi Italy
MembersCardinal Stanisław Ryłko Poland
MembersCardinal Leonardo Sandri ArgentinaPrefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches
MembersCardinal Domenico Calcagno Italy
MembersCardinal Beniamino Stella ItalyPrefect of the Congregation for the Clergy

President

In addition to his legislative role, the President of the Governatorate of Vatican City State, who since 1 October 2011 has been Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, has been delegated executive authority for the Vatican City State as the President of the Governorate of Vatican City State by the pope. As a senior member of the Roman Curia, the President is normally a cardinal of the Catholic Church.
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 the Commission that handles some of the functions of the head of state until a new pope can be chosen, along with the former Cardinal Secretary of State and the Chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church.

Former Governor

The President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State also serves as the head of government of Vatican City, the President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, an office which is distinct from the former title of Governor of Vatican City. In addition to his legislative role, the President 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 include: