An Apostolic nuncio is a permanent diplomatic representative (head of diplomatic mission) of the Holy See to a state or to one of two international intergovernmental organizations.
The head of the Apostolic Nunciature is called a nuncio, an ecclesiastical diplomatic title.
An Apostolic Nunciature is a top-level diplomatic mission of the Holy See, which is equivalent to an embassy, however, it does not issue visas nor does it have consulates.
The nuncio is first in the order of precedence among all the diplomats accredited to the country, and he speaks for the diplomatic corps in matters of diplomatic privilege and protocol.
Pope Francis and His Excellency George Johannes, Ambassador of South Africa to the Holy See. Photo credit: Google
In addition, the nuncio serves as the liaison between the Holy See and the Church in that particular nation, supervising the diocesan episcopate.
The office where the Apostolic Nuncio exercises his diplomatic mission is called Apostolic Nunciature especially when a story concerns Vatican dealings with the church in a country, rather than diplomatic dealings with the country itself (Embassy of the Holy See).
Below are countries that call their ambassadors Apostolic Nuncio:
1. Armenian Embassy in Vatican
2. Australian Embassy in Vatican
3. Beninese Embassy in Vatican
4. Bolivian Embassy in Vatican
5. Bosnian Embassy in Vatican
6. Brazilian Embassy in Vatican
7. Bulgarian Embassy in Vatican
8. Cameroonian Embassy in Vatican
9. Egyptian Embassy in Vatican, Vatican
10. Salvadoran Embassy in Vatican, Vatican
11. French Embassy in Rome, Vatican
12. Georgian Embassy in Vatican City, Vatican
13. German Embassy in Vatican City, Vatican
14. Greek Consulate in Vatican, Vatican
15. Hungarian Embassy in Roma, Vatican
16. Iraqi Embassy in Vatican City, Vatican
17. Israeli Embassy in Vatican, Vatican
18. Monegasque Embassy in Rome, Vatican
19. Moroccan Embassy in Vatican, Vatican
20. Polish Embassy in Roma, Vatican
21. Romanian Consulate in Vatican City, Vatican
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However there about fifteen countries with whom the Holy See does not have relations with (They do not have Apostolic Nuncio).
They are: Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Brunei, Comoros, the Maldives, Mauritania, Oman, Somalia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Lao People's Democratic Republic,
Others include People's Republic of China, and Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Bhutan, Burma, and Tuvalu.
Source: Naija.ng
ROSY CREST
Thursday, 30 November 2017