The Holy Father has established the Third Section of the Secretariat of State, with the denomination of Section for Diplomatic Staff of the Holy See, reinforcing the current office of the Delegate for Pontifical Representations.

The Section, which will be within the Secretariat of State, will be chaired by the Delegate for Pontifical Representations (currently H.E. Msgr. Jan Romeo Pawlowski).

It will have the aim of manifesting the attention and closeness of the Holy Father and the Superiors of the Secretariat of State to diplomatic personnel. To this end, the Delegate for Pontifical Representations may be expected to make regular visits to the offices of the Pontifical Representations.

The Third Section will deal exclusively with matters relating to the staff who work in the diplomatic service of the Holy See or who prepare to do so – such as, for example, selection, initial and continuing formation, conditions of life and service, promotions, permits, etc.

In the exercise of these functions it will be granted the just autonomy and, at the same time, will seek to establish close collaboration with the Section for General Affairs (which will continue to handle general matters of the Pontifical Representations), and with the Section for Relations with States (which will continue to deal with the political aspects of the work of the Pontifical Representations). In this sense, the Delegate for the Pontifical Representations will participate, along with His Excellency the Substitute for General Affairs and His Excellency the Secretary for Relations with States, in weekly coordination meetings chaired by the Secretary of State. Furthermore, he will convene and chair ad hoc meetings for the preparation of the appointments of Pontifical Representatives. Finally, he will be responsible, along with the President of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, for the selection and formation of candidates.