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The Embassy of Italy to the Holy See is unique amongst foreign embassages in that it is the only embassy based on its home territory.
[edit] Diplomatic Legations to the Vatican in Italy
Due to the size of the Vatican City State, embassies accredited to the Holy See are based on Italian territory. Treaties signed between Italy and the Vatican City State permit such embassages. The Holy See maintains formal diplomatic relations with 176 sovereign states, the European Union, and the Order of Malta; 69 of the diplomatic missions accredited to the Holy See are situated in Rome, though those countries then have two embassies in the same city, since, by agreement between the Holy See and Italy, the same person cannot be accredited simultaneously to both. This is shown clearly by the fact that Italy recognizes the People's Republic of China, and as such, the Chinese Embassy is in Rome. However, the Vatican City State recognizes the Republic of China (Taiwan), and as such, Taiwan's Embassy to the Holy See is also in Rome. As Italy was the first country to recognize the Holy See as a sovereign nation, their embassy was the first one established.
[edit] Apostolic Nuncios to Italy and San Marino
The current Apostolic Nuncio to Italy is His Excellency Giuseppe Bertello. His predecessors since 1929 were :
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes and references
