SECRETARIAT OF LATIN LETTERS. - It is an office of the Roman Curia, standing on its own, collateral to the Secretariat of State, under the direct authority of the Supreme Pontiff.
The origin of the Secretariat of Latin Letters of His Holiness goes back to the Apostolic Secretariat, regulated by Innocent VIII with the constitution Non debet reprehensibile (31 Dec. 1487). The need of the Roman pontiffs to correspond in an ever more frequent, expeditious and secret form with the dignitaries of the Catholic world gave rise, outside the Apostolic Chancery, to the Apostolic Secretariat alongside the Apostolic Camera.
For this correspondence the Latin language is particularly suited, since, after the rise of the modern Neo-Latin languages, it has always remained alive, both as the official language of the Church and as the common patrimony of educated persons of every nation down to the most recent times, precisely because it is by its nature universal, immutable and enduring. This language moreover is exceedingly rich, concise, harmonious, flexible to every shade of thought, full of dignity and majesty, born, one might say, to serve the glory of the Roman Pontificate, which by divine disposition has had as its lot the seat of the Roman Empire (cf. Pius XI, Apostolic Letter Officiorum omnium, of 1 Aug. 1922). In current law, the Secretariat of Latin Letters is responsible (can. 264) for the drafting of letters (Epistolae) and of the other documents entrusted to it by the Holy Father. It is composed of the secretary of Latin letters, who holds the dignity of domestic prelate and is part of the Pontifical Family (cf. Annuario Pontificio 1953, pp. 899, 903), of some study assistants and writers; the latter have the task of copying by hand in fine script every document which, signed by the Holy Father, also takes the name of pontifical autograph.
During the vacancy of the Apostolic See, the Sacred College, assembled in General Congregation before the conclave, is accustomed to entrust to the secretary of Latin letters the preparation of the Oratio de Pontifice defuncto, which the same secretary must read on the third day of the solemn obsequies in the Vatican Basilica.
The Latin letters are for the most part addressed to cardinals, to patriarchs, archbishops and bishops, to superiors general of Orders, congregations or other religious institutes, to rectors of Catholic universities and to other persons, ecclesiastical or lay, distinguished by authority or learning, such as the presidents of national Catholic congresses.
As for their content, it may be said in general that they are sent on the occasion of some solemnity of special importance, such as centenaries, international or national Eucharistic congresses with the participation of a pontifical legate, episcopal or sacerdotal jubilees of Ordinaries, etc. They therefore for the most part contain expressions of congratulation, benevolence and exhortation from the common Father of the faithful, and not rarely also precious teachings and instructions from the supreme Doctor and Teacher of the Church.
Bibliography4 works
Angelo Porugini