Roman Curia

The Roman Curia (Latin: Curia Romana, lit. '[Royal] Court of Rome') comprises the administrative institutions of the Holy See. It helps manage the important work of the Catholic Church. The Roman Curia supports the Pope and the bishops, working with a spirit of sharing good news and bringing people together.

The Roman Curia is the main group the Pope uses to carry out his duties around the world. It helps the Pope lead and guide the Church. The way the Curia is organized and what each part does is set by rules made by the Pope. These rules were updated in 2022 by Pope Francis with a document called Praedicate evangelium. Before that, different rules set by Pope John Paul II guided the Curia.

Some other groups, like the Synod of Bishops, sometimes get confused with the Curia, but they have different roles. The Curia specifically helps the Pope in his main leadership role over all churches.

Historical background

Main article: History of the Roman Curia

The Roman Curia was created by Pope Urban II. It is the group of people and offices that help the Pope manage the Holy See. The word "Curia" means "court" and refers to the group that supports the Pope in his duties.

Every Catholic area, called a diocese, has its own group of helpers called a curia. But for the city of Rome, these duties are handled by a special group called the Vicariate General of His Holiness for the City of Rome. The Pope has made changes to the Roman Curia over time to make it more modern and include people from many countries.

Structure

The Roman Curia helps manage the Catholic Church. It includes groups like the Secretariat of State and other special offices. Each group has a leader called a prefect, who works with secretaries and other helpers.

Leaders of these groups are chosen by the Pope for five years. After their time is up, they usually return to their normal church work. Some groups have special rules that are different from the usual structure.

When there is no Pope, most leaders stop working, but a few continue with certain tasks until a new Pope is chosen.

Secretariat

Secretariat of State

Main article: Secretariat of State (Holy See)

The Secretariat of State is the oldest group in the Roman Curia. It helps the leader of the Catholic Church with his important duties. It has three parts: one for general tasks, one for working with other countries and groups, and one for the Church's diplomats. The leader of the Secretariat of State is Pietro Cardinal Parolin.

Section for General Affairs

This part handles everyday tasks for the Church leader. It looks at issues that other Church groups don’t usually handle and helps them work together. It also manages the Church's representatives to other countries. The current leader of this part is Archbishop Paolo Rudelli.

Section for Relations with States and International Organizations

This part takes care of the Church's relationships with other countries and groups. It works on diplomatic matters, helps the Church work well with others, and represents the Church at big international meetings. The current leader of this part is Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.

Section for Diplomatic Staff of the Holy See

This part looks after the people who work as diplomats for the Church. It checks on their work conditions and helps with their training. The current leader of this part is Archbishop Jan Romeo Pawłowski.

Central Statistics Office of the Church

This office, which works under the Secretariat of State, does many studies for the Roman Curia. One big project is making the Statistical Yearbook of the Church, which shows information about Catholic people around the world. The current leader of this office is Monsignor Tomislav Ɖukez.

Dicasteries

Under the new constitution, all the Vatican's main departments are now known as "dicasteries". Alongside removing the title "congregation" from Vatican departments, the new constitution renames pontifical councils as "dicasteries". The constitution says: "The Roman Curia is composed of the Secretariat of State, the dicasteries and other bodies, all juridically equal to each other". The curial institutions are now made up of 16 dicasteries. Each dicastery is headed by a prefect, and supported by secretary and under-secretary.

Dicastery for Evangelization

Main article: Dicastery for Evangelization

The Dicastery for Evangelization is responsible for important questions about sharing the teachings of the Church worldwide and for supporting new churches. This new dicastery combines two older groups. It has two parts: one for general questions about sharing teachings, and one for helping new churches in certain areas. It is led directly by the leader of the Church, currently Leo XIV. Each part is managed by a helper leader.

Section for Fundamental Issues in World Evangelization

This part studies important questions about sharing teachings, working with churches and groups. It collects experiences and encourages thinking about the history of sharing teachings. The current helper leader is Archbishop Salvatore (Rino) Fisichella.

Section for First Evangelization and the New Particular Churches

This part supports sharing teachings and helping people grow in their faith in certain areas. It also handles creating new church areas. The current helper leader is Luis Antonio Cardinal Gokim Tagle.

Associated organization

International Council for Catechesis

The International Council for Catechesis was created to help with teaching important Church topics. It investigates topics, suggests solutions, and shares experiences. The current leader is Archbishop Salvatore (Rino) Fisichella.

Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith

Main article: Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith is the oldest group in the Vatican's departments. Its job is to help share the teachings of the Church and protect the correct understanding of those teachings. It has two parts, each led by a helper. The current leader is Víctor Manuel Cardinal Fernández.

Doctrinal Section

This part supports studying and understanding the Church's teachings and how they develop in different places.

Disciplinary Section

This part handles certain serious matters within the Church, following Church laws.

Associated organizations

Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors gives advice to the leader of the Church and suggests ways to protect children and vulnerable people. The current leader is Archbishop Thibault Verny.

International Theological Commission

The International Theological Commission gives advice on important teaching questions. The leader of the commission is the leader of the dicastery.

Pontifical Biblical Commission

The Pontifical Biblical Commission helps with understanding the Bible correctly. The leader of the commission is the leader of the dicastery.

Dicastery for the Service of Charity

Main article: Dicastery for the Service of Charity

The Dicastery for the Service of Charity helps those in need around the world, acting on behalf of the leader of the Church. It supports people in poverty and during disasters. The current leader is Luis Marín de San Martín, OSA.

Dicastery for the Eastern Churches

Main article: Dicastery for the Eastern Churches

The Dicastery for the Eastern Churches works with Eastern Catholic Churches to help them grow and protect their traditions. It has authority over several regions. The current leader is Claudio Gugerotti.

Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments

Main article: Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments

The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments promotes the Church's worship practices. It handles approving translations and adaptations of worship materials. The current leader is Arthur Cardinal Roche.

Associated organization

"Vox Clara" Committee

The "Vox Clara" Committee helps with translations of worship materials into English. The leadership position is currently empty.

Dicastery for the Causes of Saints

Main article: Dicastery for the Causes of Saints

The Dicastery for the Causes of Saints oversees the process of recognizing saints in the Church. The current leader is Marcello Cardinal Semeraro.

Dicastery for Bishops

Main article: Dicastery for Bishops

The Dicastery for Bishops helps choose new bishops and organizes important meetings for bishops. The current leader is Filippo Iannone.

Associated organization

Pontifical Commission for Latin America

The Pontifical Commission for Latin America studies questions about churches in Latin America and helps with their development. The leader of the commission is the leader of the dicastery.

Dicastery for the Clergy

Main article: Dicastery for the Clergy

The Dicastery for the Clergy looks after matters related to priests and deacons, and seminaries for training priests. The current leader is Lazarus Cardinal You Heung-sik.

Associated organizations

Pontifical Work for Priestly Vocations

The Pontifical Work for Priestly Vocations encourages people to become priests. The leader of the commission is the leader of the dicastery.

Interdicasterial Commission for Candidates to Sacred Order

The Interdicasterial Commission for Candidates to Sacred Order helps choose and train people becoming priests or deacons. The leader of the commission is the leader of the dicastery.

Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and for Societies of Apostolic life

Main article: Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life

The Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and for Societies of Apostolic Life supports religious groups and their work. The current leader is Simona Brambilla.

Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life

Main article: Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life

The Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life supports the work of ordinary people, families, and the protection of life. The current leader is Kevin Joseph Cardinal Farrell.

Associated organizations

Pontifical Academy for Life

The dicastery works with the Pontifical Academy for Life on protecting and supporting human life. The current leader of the academy is Archbishop Renzo Pegoraro.

Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute for Matrimonial and Family Science

The Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute studies topics related to marriage and family. The current leader of the institute is Monsignor Philippe Bordeyne.

Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity

Main article: Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity

The Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity works to bring Christian groups together. The current leader is Cardinal Kurt Koch.

Associated organization

Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews

The Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews works to build positive relationships between Catholics and Jewish people. The leader of the commission is the leader of the dicastery.

Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue

Main article: Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue

The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue works with people of different religions to promote peace and understanding. The current leader is George Jacob Cardinal Koovakad.

Associated organization

Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims

The Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims works to build positive relationships between Catholics and Muslim people. The leader of the commission is the leader of the dicastery.

Dicastery for Culture and Education

Main article: Dicastery for Culture and Education

The Dicastery for Culture and Education supports culture and education within the Church. It has two parts: one for culture, and one for education. The current leader is José Cardinal Tolentino de Mendonça.

Section for Culture

The Section for Culture promotes dialogue and understanding between the Church and the world of culture.

Section for Education

The Section for Education works with bishops and churches to support Catholic education.

Associated organizations

Pontifical Work for Ecclesiastical Vocations

The Pontifical Work for Ecclesiastical Vocations supports vocations to the priesthood. The leader of the commission is the leader of the dicastery.

Pontifical Academies

The Dicastery for Culture and Education works with several Pontifical Academies, which include experts in various fields.

Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development

Main article: Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development

The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development focuses on supporting human dignity, rights, and development. It works on issues like work, care for the earth, migration, and peace. The current leader is Michael Cardinal Czerny, S.J.

Associated organization

Vatican COVID-19 Commission

The Vatican COVID-19 Commission supports the Church's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on dignity, solidarity, and care for the whole human family. The leader of the commission is the leader of the dicastery.

Dicastery for Legislative Texts

Main article: Dicastery for Legislative Texts

The Dicastery for Legislative Texts helps with understanding and applying Church laws. The current leader is Archbishop Anthony Randazzo, appointed on March 25, 2026.

Dicastery for Communications

Main article: Dicastery for Communications

The Dicastery for Communications oversees all communication for the Church, including digital media. The current leader is Dr. Paolo Ruffini.

Associated organizations

Vatican Press

The Vatican press handles printing and publishing for the Church, including the Vatican Newspaper L'Osservatore Romano. The current director manager is Professor Andrea Monda.

L'Osservatore Romano

The Osservatore Romano is the daily newspaper of Vatican City, reporting on Church activities. The current director manager is Professor Andrea Monda.

Press Office of the Holy See

The Holy See Press Office shares official news from the Church, including speeches and messages. The current director is Matteo Bruni.

Institutions of Justice

The Institutions of Justice help the Catholic Church make fair decisions. Their goal is to help people and follow God's teachings.

Apostolic Penitentiary

Main article: Apostolic Penitentiary

The Apostolic Penitentiary is one of the three main courts in the Roman Curia. It handles special matters about forgiveness in the Catholic Church. It works on three main types of issues: forgiving certain serious wrongdoings, solving problems in religious ceremonies that only the highest church leaders can fix, and giving special permissions called indulgences. The current leader is Angelo de Donatis.

Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura

Main article: Apostolic Signatura

The Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura is the highest court in the Catholic Church, after the Pope. It also helps manage court activities for the whole Church. It handles special kinds of cases, such as challenges to decisions made by another court called the Roman Rota, issues about who can be judged by which court, and complaints about the actions of judges.

Tribunal of the Rota Romana

Main article: Roman Rota

The Tribunal of the Roman Rota is the highest appeals court. It mainly reviews decisions about whether marriages are valid. This includes marriages between two Catholics, a Catholic and someone else, or two people who are not Catholic. The court is called Rota, meaning "wheel," because the judges used to meet in a round room. The current dean is Most Reverend Alejandro Arellano Cedillo, C.O.R.C.

Economic organizations

Council for the Economy

Main article: Council for the Economy

The Council for the Economy watches over the money and work of the Church's groups. It makes sure these groups use their money and things wisely and follow good rules. The council has eight important Church leaders and seven experts from different places around the world. They serve for five years.

The council helps make sure the Church's money is safe, risks are low, and resources are used well. It also checks that everyone follows the plans they agree to.

Secretariat for the Economy

Main article: Secretariat for the Economy

The Secretariat for the Economy looks after the Church's money matters. It checks on the work and money use of Church groups. It has two main jobs: one for money rules and watching, and another for general management.

The Secretariat makes sure everyone follows the money plans, watches over budgets, and checks the year's money situation before sharing it with the Council for the Economy.

Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See

Main article: Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See

This group takes care of the Church's buildings and money. It was started by Pope Paul VI in 1967. It manages the Church's property and money to support the work of the Church. It also helps with everyday tasks like paying for things and keeping records.

Office of the Auditor General

The Office of the Auditor General checks the Church's money reports. It looks at the yearly reports of Church groups and can also check special cases when asked, like if there are problems with money use or unfair deals.

Commission for Confidential Matters

This group handles special secret Church business. It decides when something must be kept private for the good of the Church or people. It also watches over secret contracts.

Committee for Investments

This group makes sure the Church's money is put into good and honest places to grow. It picks members and experts to help with this for five years. In 2026, it made two sets of rules for Christian ethical investing that others could use.

Offices

Praedicate evangelium changed the structure of the Offices of the Roman Curia, which now has three main parts.

Prefecture of the Papal Household

Main article: Prefecture of the Papal Household

The Prefecture helps keep order within the Pope's household. It organizes ceremonies and manages meetings for the Pope with important visitors. It also prepares for the Pope’s spiritual exercises and trips. Archbishop Petar Rajič became the new leader of this office on March 30, 2026.

Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff

Main article: Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff

This office prepares and leads all important religious services where the Pope or his representatives are present. It makes sure these events follow the proper traditions and that everyone can participate fully. Monsignor Diego Giovanni Ravelli is the current leader of this office.

Pontifical Musical Chorus of the Sistine Chapel

The Pontifical Musical Chorus of the Sistine Chapel leads the music and other activities at the chapel. They help make sure the chapel’s important musical history is kept alive.

Apostolic Camera

Main article: Apostolic Camera

The Cardinal Camerlengo has special duties when there is no Pope. He looks after the Church’s money and property during that time. The role of Camerlengo is currently not filled since the election of Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025.

Institutions connected with the Holy See

There are several important groups that help the leader of the Catholic Church and the Roman Curia with their work, even though they are not officially part of the Curia. These groups have their own rules but work closely with the Church.

One group is the Labour Office of the Apostolic See, which handles jobs and work rules for people employed by the Holy See. The Vatican Apostolic Archives keep important documents about the Church's history, and the Vatican Apostolic Library collects and shares books and art for scholars. The Fabric of Saint Peter takes care of Saint Peter's Basilica, including its preservation and visitors. The Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology studies and protects old Christian places in Italy. There are also Pontifical Academies that search for knowledge in different areas, and an Agency for the Evaluation and Promotion of Quality in Ecclesiastical Faculties that helps make sure Church schools meet high standards. Lastly, Domus Vaticanae is a group that provides homes for visitors and workers in the Vatican, combining several older guest houses into one organization.

Interdicasterial commissions

An interdicasterial commission is a group created to handle issues that involve many different parts of the Roman Curia.

There are several important commissions:

• The Permanent Interdicasterial Commission on Particular Churches manages relationships between the Latin Church and Eastern Catholic Churches. Its leader is also the secretary of the state.
• The Permanent Interdicasterial Commission for the Church in Eastern Europe focuses on helping with changes in Eastern Europe during the early 1990s. Its leader is also the secretary of the state.
• The Permanent Interdicasterial Commission for Consecrated Religious supports religious groups working in Africa and Asia. Its leader is the Pro-prefect for the Section of First Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization.
• The Permanent Interdicasterial Commission for Candidates to Sacred Order chooses and prepares people for becoming priests, including their training. Its leader is the prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy.
• The Interdicasterial Commission for the Revision of the General Regulations of the Roman Curia is a temporary group that helps put into place new rules from the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate evangelium, which became public on 19 March 2022 and started on 5 June 2022. Its leader is Archbishop Filippo Iannone, O. Carm.

Other commissions and committees

Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses

The Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses works to help people better understand and honor Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. It organizes big gatherings called International Eucharistic Congresses and helps prepare for them.

Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences

The Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences encourages the use of church archives for historical research. It supports seminars, conferences, and internships to study history and Latin and Greek.

Commission for Advocates

The "Advocates of the Holy See" are lawyers who help represent the Holy See and its offices in legal cases. The head of this group is the prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.

Pontifical Swiss Guards

The Pontifical Swiss Guards is a small guard force that protects the pope and the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City. Founded in 1506, they serve as personal guards for the pope and watch over Vatican City.

Disciplinary Commission of the Roman Curia

Created by John Paul II in 1981, this commission decides if officials in the Roman Curia should be suspended or removed from their jobs.

Financial Security Committee

This committee works to prevent money laundering, terrorism financing, and the spread of dangerous weapons, coordinating efforts between the Holy See and Vatican City State.

Commission of Cardinals overseeing the Institute for Works of Religion

This group of cardinals oversees the Institute for Works of Religion, also known as the Vatican Bank, which manages finances for the Holy See. It is led by Santos Cardinal Abril y Castelló.

Pontifical Commission for the Activities of Public Juridical Persons of the Church in the Healthcare Sector

This commission checks that healthcare facilities run by religious groups follow their mission and use their money properly. It is led by Pietro Cardinal Parolin.

Pontifical Commission for the Verification and Application of Mitis Iudex in the Churches of Italy

This commission helps churches in Italy update their rules for deciding if marriages are valid. It supports the changes made in 2015 to make this process simpler. It is led by Monsignor Alejandro Arellano Cedillo, C.O.R.C.

Holy See Agency for the Evaluation and Promotion of the Quality of Ecclesiastical Universities and Faculties (AVEPRO)

AVEPRO was created in 2007 to improve quality in universities linked to the Holy See. It helps these schools meet international standards and supports their quality evaluations.

Order of the Holy Sepulchre

The Pontifical Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is a Catholic group that supports the Christian presence in Jerusalem. It helps protect Christian sites and communities in the Holy Land. Membership is a high honor for those who serve the Catholic Church.

Fondazione Centesimus Annus pro pontifice

This foundation, started in 1993 by Pope John Paul II, promotes the social teachings of the Catholic Church. It organizes discussions and events for business leaders and scholars to explore ethics and economics. It is based in the Vatican Secretariat of State.