DIPLOMATIC CORPS. This consists of the body of diplomatic agents accredited for the purpose of maintaining relations with a given State, who are considered collectively usually for purely protocolary reasons, but sometimes for the performance of legally relevant acts (e.g., the presentation of a note of protest; V. DIPLOMATIC AGENT).
THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS AT THE HOLY SEE. — This consists of the diplomatic agents accredited, on a regular and permanent basis, to the Holy See. The latter, in fact, exercises both active and passive legation rights; consequently, the countries to which a nuncio or an internuncio is accredited, and sometimes others as well, usually have their own diplomatic representative at the Vatican. The origins of such representations can be traced to the late 15th century, while from the following century they assumed a permanent character.
At present (1949) the Diplomatic Corps at the Holy See comprises thirteen ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary (Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Ireland, Italy, Peru, Poland, Portugal, the Dominican Republic, Spain and Venezuela) and twenty-five envoys extraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary (Austria, Czechoslovakia, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Egypt, El Salvador, Finland, Great Britain, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Yugoslavia, Lebanon, Liberia, Lithuania, the Principality of Monaco, Nicaragua, the Netherlands, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Panama, Romania, San Marino, Hungary and Uruguay), to which must be added the personal representative of the President of the United States of America, who holds the rank of ambassador. In the past, Japan had accredited a delegate to the Holy See, also with the rank of ambassador.
The envoys of foreign governments at the Holy See enjoy all the prerogatives and immunities pertaining, according to the norms of international law, to diplomatic agents; these prerogatives are also recognized to them, in accordance with Article 12 of the Lateran Treaty, with regard to the Italian State (on whose territory they may reside freely), even if the accrediting State does not maintain diplomatic relations with Italy. Under Article 19 of the aforementioned Treaty, the diplomats and envoys of foreign governments at the Holy See may enter Vatican territory through Italian territory with only the passport of their State of origin, provided it is visaed by a pontifical representative abroad.
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