The Vatican Publishing House, as an Institution connected with the Holy See, has been entrusted with the exercise and custody, permanently and throughout the world, of every moral copyright and of all the exclusive financial rights - without any exception - over all the deeds and documents through which the Supreme Pontiff exercises his own Magisterium.

To discharge this office, the Vatican Publishing House, in the person of the Director and legal representative pro tempore, acts in the name and interests of the Holy See, with the authority to undertake any act for the disposition of the said rights, to initiate legal and judicial proceedings, to propose any action in order to ensure the full protection and realization of these rights and to resist any claim or request from third parties, in conformity with the norms of the international treaties and conventions to which the Holy See adheres.

From the Vatican, 31 May 2005

Cardinal ANGELO SODANO
Secretary of State