Roman Curia

The Roman Curia is the administrative institutions and offices that assist the pope in governing the Catholic Church and the Holy See. Its structure and responsibilities are set by papal law.

Holy See: The Holy See is the central governing authority of the Catholic Church, headed by the pope. The Curia serves this governing authority, which is distinct from the Curia itself.
Secretariat of State: The Secretariat of State is the Curial office that assists the pope in coordinating the Holy See’s central affairs and diplomacy. It coordinates much of the Curia’s work and handles the Holy See’s relations with states.
Roman Curia in the Middle Ages: The medieval Roman Curia was the changing body of clerics and officials who administered papal government. Its offices and practices supplied foundations for the later centralized administration.
Second Vatican Council: The Second Vatican Council was a Catholic Church council held from 1962 to 1965 that addressed doctrine, worship, and relations with the modern world. Its reforms prompted changes in the Curia’s composition and engagement with the wider Church.
Pope: The pope is the bishop of Rome and the supreme pastor and visible head of the Catholic Church. Curial offices assist the pope and exercise authority under his direction.
Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith: The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith promotes and safeguards Catholic doctrine and discipline. Its doctrinal and disciplinary responsibilities illustrate one major kind of Curial work.
Pope Sixtus V: Pope Sixtus V led the Catholic Church from 1585 to 1590 and reorganized the Roman Curia through a system of congregations. His 1588 reform established a durable framework of specialized departments.
Regimini Ecclesiae Universae: Regimini Ecclesiae Universae is Paul VI’s 1967 apostolic constitution reforming the Roman Curia. It implemented a major post–Vatican II reorganization of Curial offices.
Catholic Church: The Catholic Church is the worldwide Christian communion led by the pope and bishops in communion with him. The Curia serves the Church’s governance, but is not the Church’s entire hierarchy.
Roman Rota: The Roman Rota is the Catholic Church’s central appellate tribunal, especially known for handling marriage cases. It exemplifies the Curia’s judicial function.

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