The Holy See (also known as the See of Rome or Petrine See) is under the control of the Pope, who serves his role as bishop of Rome. It also includes the apostolic episcopal See of the Diocese in Rome, which has universal jurisdiction over the Catholic church and the sovereign city-state of Vatican City.

It was established in the first century according to Catholic tradition and is, through the Petrine and papal primacy of the Pope, the center of full communion for Catholic Christians worldwide. The Holy See, a sovereign entity, is located in Rome and has “exclusive dominion” of the Vatican City State Enclave in Rome. It is a sovereign entity. It is divided into the polities of the Latin Church, the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches, their dioceses, and religious institutes.

The Roman Curia is the Catholic Church’s central government and administers the Holy See. The Roman Curia is composed of various dicasteries similar to ministries and executive departments, with the Cardinal Secretary in State serving as its chief administrator. Part of the College of Cardinals is responsible for papal elections.