The Vatican, an original geopolitical power
St. Peter's Square in the Vatican.
© Gregorio Borgia / AP
By: Marie-France Chatin Follow
2 min
The functioning of the diplomatic machine of the Popes is generally not well known, particularly and by definition when it is secret.
The Vatican's expertise in international mediation and the diplomatic role played by the smallest state in the world, capable from its 44 hectares of asserting itself as a major player in international geopolitics, are no less real.
(Replay)
Publicity
We remember the success of John XXIII in the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, more recently that of the rapprochement between Washington and Havana finally undermined by the President Trump.
And we know the difficulties that this diplomatic machine is experiencing today, whether with Venezuela or China ... with some progress to underline, concerning the latter.
The Holy See maintains official diplomatic relations with 183 states.
Only certain Muslim countries, North Korea or China refuse to do so.
The Holy See has always been the target of foreign secret services, convinced that the Vatican has an unparalleled network.
During the Second World War and the Cold War, Rome was a real nest of spies of all nationalities.
The Vatican officially has no espionage service… Still, the fall of communism marked the victory of John Paul II, the pope who is known to have been most involved in secret operations.
And that the Church is not immune to underground clashes between certain groups within it.
Guests:
-
Constance Colonna Cesari,
journalist, director, specialist in Vatican diplomacy.
"
In the secrets of Vatican diplomacy
", ed.
of the Threshold
-
Yvonnick Denoël,
historian and editor.
Intelligence specialist.
"
The spies of the Vatican
", New World editions.
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