Eternal Sunshine of the Holy See

... factors that determine the Vatican’s role in global politics: the historical conditions that led to the formation of the Papal States; the cumulative experience of relations with secular rulers; and the theological interpretation of political life. Papal diplomacy is based on the provisions of public canon law. Specifically, this deals with the relationship between the Catholic Church as an independent community on the one hand, and the state on the other. This part of canon law is consistent with ...