Cardinal Secretary of State
The Cardinal Secretary of State is the Pope's principal collaborator in the governance of the universal Church, presiding over the Secretariat of State as the central coordinating body of the Roman Curia and bearing primary responsibility for the Holy See's diplomatic and political activities.[1] The Secretariat is structured into the Section for General Affairs, which manages curial coordination, personnel appointments, and official communications, and the Section for Relations with States, which oversees foreign relations, concordats, and ecclesiastical appointments in nations bound by treaties.[1] A third section, established in 2017, addresses the formation and management of diplomatic personnel.[1] The office originated in the 15th century through the Apostolic Secretariat established by the 1487 constitution Non Debet Reprehensibile, initially comprising 24 secretaries for papal correspondence, and evolved into its modern form with reforms under Popes Innocent XII, Pius VII, Paul VI, and John Paul II, culminating in the 1988 apostolic constitution Pastor Bonus that divided it into its current dual sections.[2][1] Often likened to a prime minister, the Cardinal Secretary of State implements papal directives in both ecclesiastical administration and international diplomacy, directing nuncios and engaging with global entities on behalf of the Holy See.[2] This role has been pivotal in navigating the Church's relations with secular powers, from negotiating treaties to coordinating responses to geopolitical challenges affecting Catholicism.[1]Position Overview
Definition and Equivalence to Secular Roles
The Cardinal Secretary of State serves as the Pope's foremost deputy and principal collaborator in directing the Roman Curia and conducting the Holy See's affairs, heading the Secretariat of State to ensure coordinated execution of papal governance. Established under the apostolic constitution Pastor Bonus of June 28, 1988, the Secretariat provides immediate assistance to the Supreme Pontiff, with the Cardinal Secretary exercising oversight to maintain unity among the Curia's dicasteries while preserving their autonomy.[3] This role encompasses daily administrative coordination via the Section for General Affairs and diplomatic engagement through the Section for Relations with States, which negotiates concordats and handles ecclesiastical matters with governments.[3] Reforms under Praedicate Evangelium in 2022 introduced a Third Section for Diplomatic Personnel, further delineating responsibilities without altering the Secretary's central authority as the Pope's chief executor.[4] In functional equivalence to secular offices, the Cardinal Secretary of State is commonly analogized to a prime minister of a sovereign entity, combining oversight of internal bureaucracy—akin to a cabinet coordinator—with leadership in foreign relations comparable to a foreign minister or secretary of state.[5][6][7] This hybrid role reflects the Holy See's unique status as a non-territorial ecclesiastical jurisdiction with global diplomatic presence, where the Secretary implements the Pope's directives in negotiations, such as the 1984 revision of the 1929 Lateran Treaty or contemporary bilateral agreements, while lacking independent executive power and remaining fully accountable to papal supremacy.[6] Unlike a prime minister in parliamentary systems, the position derives no authority from election or legislative consent but from direct papal appointment, underscoring the monarchical structure of Vatican governance.[3]Appointment Process and Qualifications
The Cardinal Secretary of State is appointed directly by the Pope in the exercise of his plenary authority over the Roman Curia, without recourse to election, synodal consultation, or fixed procedural mechanisms. This papal prerogative stems from the Secretariat of State's unique status as the dicastery most proximate to the Pontiff's governance, as outlined in apostolic constitutions governing the Curia, such as Pastor Bonus (1988), which designates the office as presided over by a cardinal serving as the Pope's principal collaborator.[3] Appointments are typically effected via a papal decree or chirograph, with the Holy See announcing the selection through official bulletins; the appointee assumes duties immediately or upon a specified date, serving ad nutum Sanctae Sedis—at the Pope's will—indefinitely, exempt from the five-year renewable terms applied to other dicastery heads.[1] Historical precedents confirm this autonomy: Pope Benedict XVI named Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone on 15 September 2006, succeeding Angelo Sodano, while Pope Francis selected Archbishop Pietro Parolin on 31 August 2013, promoting him to cardinal on 9 February 2014 to fulfill the office's titular requirement.[5][8] No canonical statutes impose explicit qualifications for the role beyond the general requisites for curial officials, which emphasize moral integrity, doctrinal fidelity, and administrative competence under canons 252 and 349 of the Code of Canon Law. By established norm and curial tradition, the Secretary must be a member of the College of Cardinals, ensuring hierarchical equivalence and eligibility for papal succession deliberations; interim "pro-Secretaries" may be non-cardinals during vacancies, but the permanent holder assumes cardinalatial rank if not already elevated.[1] De facto selection criteria, derived from papal practice rather than codified rules, prioritize extensive diplomatic experience, mastery of canon and international law, multilingual proficiency, and proven loyalty amid geopolitical challenges—traits evident in appointees like Parolin, who prior to 2013 had directed the nunciature section of the Second Section (Relations with States) since 2002 and served as apostolic nuncio to Venezuela from 2009 to 2013.[9] Such backgrounds facilitate the office's dual mandate in foreign policy and curial orchestration, though popes retain discretion to deviate, as in rare non-diplomatic elevations historically. This flexibility reflects causal realities of monarchical governance, where personal trust supersedes bureaucratic checklists to align the Secretary with the Pontiff's vision.[6]Responsibilities and Authority
Diplomatic and Foreign Relations Duties
The Cardinal Secretary of State, as the highest-ranking official in the Vatican's Secretariat of State, directs the Holy See's diplomatic engagements worldwide, functioning as the equivalent of a foreign minister by overseeing the Section for Relations with States. This section handles the establishment and maintenance of bilateral diplomatic relations with sovereign states, negotiating concordats, treaties, and other agreements that govern church-state interactions, such as those addressing religious freedom, education, and property rights. For instance, it coordinates the Holy See's participation in multilateral organizations like the United Nations, where Vatican representatives advocate for issues including human dignity, peace, and development.[1][2] Key responsibilities include appointing and managing the Holy See's diplomatic corps, comprising apostolic nuncios—permanent representatives accredited to over 180 countries—who report directly to the Secretariat and convey papal positions on international matters. The Secretary of State personally receives credentials from foreign ambassadors to the Holy See, conducts high-level negotiations, and often accompanies the pope on foreign visits to facilitate state encounters and protocol. These duties emphasize moral diplomacy rooted in Catholic social teaching, prioritizing conflict mediation, humanitarian aid coordination, and advocacy against persecution of Christians, as seen in efforts to normalize relations with nations like Vietnam through persistent dialogue on religious liberty.[1][6][10] In practice, the role involves crisis response, such as intervening in geopolitical tensions to promote ceasefires or refugee support, while safeguarding the Church's autonomy amid varying state ideologies. The Secretary coordinates with other Vatican dicasteries to align diplomatic initiatives with doctrinal priorities, ensuring that engagements reflect the pope's vision without compromising evangelization. This framework, formalized post-Vatican II, balances realpolitik with ethical imperatives, as evidenced by negotiations yielding agreements in regions with historical church-state frictions.[2][6]Internal Governance and Curial Coordination
The Cardinal Secretary of State, as head of the Secretariat of State, serves as the Pope's principal collaborator in coordinating the Roman Curia, the central administrative body assisting the pontiff in governance of the universal Church.[1] This coordination ensures operational unity among the Curia's dicasteries and offices, facilitating the implementation of papal directives and addressing administrative matters not assigned to specific entities.[11] The Secretariat's Section for General Affairs, established under Pastor Bonus on June 28, 1988, handles these functions by expediting daily papal service, preparing official documents such as apostolic constitutions and letters, and overseeing Church-wide statistical data through the Central Office of Church Statistics.[11] In curial coordination, the Secretary of State promotes harmony across dicasteries by managing inter-office relations, supervising the administrative aspects of papal nunciatures, and regulating protocols for audiences, ceremonies, and diplomatic precedence.[1] This includes directing the Holy See Press Office, L’Osservatore Romano, Vatican Radio, and related media to align communications with papal policy.[11] The role extends to internal appointments, such as advocates for ecclesiastical tribunals, and ensuring that curial activities support evangelization without overlapping competencies.[11] Reforms under Praedicate Evangelium, promulgated March 19, 2022, preserved this coordinating authority while reorienting the Curia toward missionary service, with the Section for General Affairs retaining responsibility for maintaining cohesion among dicasteries in administrative and pastoral execution.[12] Through these mechanisms, the Secretary of State mitigates bureaucratic fragmentation, as evidenced by the Secretariat's handling of cross-dicastery initiatives like global Church data compilation, which as of 2023 encompassed statistics from over 3,000 dioceses worldwide.[11]Advisory and Administrative Functions
The Cardinal Secretary of State serves as the Pope's principal collaborator and advisor in the governance of the universal Church, offering counsel on internal administrative matters and ensuring the alignment of Curial activities with papal priorities. This advisory role involves close assistance in exercising the Pope's supreme mission, particularly in coordinating the Roman Curia to promote unity and efficiency among its dicasteries and offices.[12][1] Administratively, the Secretariat of State, under the Cardinal Secretary's direction, manages the day-to-day internal functions of the Holy See through its Section for General Affairs. This section prepares and executes documents entrusted by the Pope, oversees appointments within the Roman Curia, and regulates the duties of Holy See representatives. It also handles the custody of papal seals, including the Lead Seal and Fisherman's Ring, and coordinates official communications such as the Acta Apostolicae Sedis and Annuario Pontificio.[1][12] These functions emphasize coordination and implementation, fostering interdicasterial collaboration to support the Pope's directives without supplanting the specific competencies of other Curial bodies. For instance, the Secretariat organizes meetings among dicasteries and ensures that administrative processes reflect the Church's missionary orientation as outlined in Praedicate Evangelium, promulgated on March 19, 2022.[12][1]Historical Origins
Early Development (1551–1600)
The position of papal secretary of state emerged in 1551 under Pope Julius III to manage the administrative and diplomatic affairs of the Holy See, prompted by the evident shortcomings of the pope's cardinal-nephew, Innocenzo Ciocchi del Monte.[13] Julius III, elected in 1550, had elevated the teenage Innocenzo—his former ward and an individual lacking formal education or administrative experience—to the cardinalate and the role of protector of the Papal States, leading to widespread criticism and inefficiency in governance.[14] To mitigate these issues, Julius created the secretaryship as a dedicated office for handling state correspondence, territorial administration, and foreign relations, appointing Girolamo Dandini, a newly elevated cardinal, as its inaugural holder on November 20, 1551.[13] Dandini, previously bishop of Caserta since 1544 and experienced in curial matters, served until his death in 1559, establishing the role's focus on practical oversight rather than familial favoritism.[15] Following Julius III's death in 1555, the office persisted through the brief pontificates of Marcellus II and Paul IV, though with intermittent emphasis amid the Counter-Reformation's urgencies. Under Paul IV (1555–1559), the secretaryship supported inquisitorial policies and diplomatic maneuvers against Protestant influences, but the role remained subordinate to the datary and other curial officials.[2] With the election of Pius IV in 1559, Carlo Borromeo, appointed secretary in 1560 at age 22, elevated the position's prominence by coordinating the final sessions of the Council of Trent (1562–1563) and reforming papal finances strained by prior nepotism. Borromeo's tenure until 1565 exemplified the secretary's growing authority in internal governance, including the establishment of the Congregation of the Council in 1564 to oversee Trent's implementation, marking a shift toward centralized bureaucratic efficiency.[16] Successive secretaries under Pius V (1566–1572), such as Girolamo Rusticucci (1566–1572), further entrenched the office by managing the enforcement of Tridentine decrees, suppressing banditry in the Papal States, and conducting diplomacy with Catholic monarchs like Philip II of Spain.[17] Rusticucci, elevated to cardinal in 1568, handled over 1,000 dispatches annually on matters from nunciatures to revenue collection, underscoring the position's evolution into a nexus for secular and ecclesiastical coordination. By the 1570s under Gregory XIII, figures like Tolomeo Gallio (briefly in 1565–1566, then influential) and subsequent appointees like Filippo Boncompagni adapted the role to calendar reform and alliances against the Ottoman threat, with the secretary increasingly acting as the pope's primary executive in non-doctrinal affairs.[18] This period saw the office professionalize, drawing on juridical expertise to counterbalance the waning cardinal-nephew system, though it lacked formal codification until later centuries.[6] By 1600, the secretary of state had become indispensable for the Holy See's navigation of European power dynamics, laying groundwork for its designation as a cardinalate office.[2]Formalization as Cardinal Office (1600–1644)
The role of the papal secretary of state began to solidify as a cardinal office during the early seventeenth century, evolving from ad hoc administrative functions into a centralized position of authority under cardinal oversight. Under Pope Paul V (r. 1605–1621), Cardinal Scipione Borghese, the pontiff's nephew, assumed broad responsibilities in August 1605 as head of the Consulta for Papal States governance, extending to diplomatic correspondence and policy execution, which prefigured the secretary's later primacy.[19] This arrangement reflected a bureaucratic shift, where the cardinal-nephew effectively directed the curia's external affairs amid growing papal statecraft demands.[20] Subsequent pontificates reinforced this cardinal-centric model. Pope Gregory XV (r. 1621–1623) appointed his nephew, Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi, as secretary of state, tasking him with managing state correspondence and advisory duties, further embedding the position within the College of Cardinals.[21] Under Pope Urban VIII (r. 1623–1644), Cardinal Francesco Barberini, also a nephew, served explicitly as secretary of state, wielding influence over internal coordination and foreign negotiations, including during the Thirty Years' War era, which heightened the office's diplomatic weight.[22] These appointments, typically to relatives elevated to cardinalate, demonstrated the position's alignment with cardinal authority, though still tied to nepotism. By 1644, following Urban VIII's death, Pope Innocent X (r. 1644–1655) formalized the office's independence from familial nepotism by naming Cardinal Giovanni Giacomo Panciroli (1587–1651), a non-relative, as secretary of state on 15 September 1644.[23] Panciroli's tenure initiated the consistent designation of the role as "Cardinal Secretary of State," establishing it as a distinct, enduring curial institution presided over by a cardinal, separate from transient cardinal-nephew influences. This shift prioritized institutional continuity over personal ties, setting precedents for the office's modern structure.[24]Evolution Through Key Periods
Counter-Reformation and Early Modern Era (1644–1800)
The office of Cardinal Secretary of State was established in September 1644 when Pope Innocent X appointed Giovanni Giacomo Panciroli (1587–1651), previously a prelate in the Roman Curia, to head the Secretariat of State as its first cardinal incumbent.[23] This reorganization distinguished the handling of political, diplomatic, and extraordinary ecclesiastical affairs from routine correspondence, granting the secretary direct access to the pope and oversight of nunciatures worldwide.[1] Panciroli's tenure focused on consolidating papal authority amid post-Thirty Years' War negotiations, including responses to the Peace of Westphalia (1648), which the Holy See rejected for conceding Protestant gains in ecclesiastical territories.[25] Fabio Chigi (1599–1667), appointed in December 1651 after serving as nuncio to Malta and Germany, exemplified the office's growing diplomatic prominence during his service until 1655.[26] As Secretary of State, Chigi managed relations with absolutist powers like France under Cardinal Mazarin and the Holy Roman Empire, negotiating the end of Portugal's 1640 embargo against papal recognition of its independence and addressing Jansenist controversies in the Low Countries.[27] His efforts underscored the Secretariat's role in preserving Catholic unity and papal influence against secular encroachments, often through confidential dispatches to nuncios who reported intelligence on Protestant alliances and internal reforms mandated by the Council of Trent.[6] In the late 17th century, successors such as Giulio Rospigliosi (1600–1669), who served from 1655 to 1667 before becoming Pope Clement IX, navigated tensions with Louis XIV's Gallican assertions, including the 1682 Declaration of the Clergy of France challenging papal prerogatives.[23] The office coordinated Vatican responses to revoked Edict of Nantes (1685) aftermath and Ottoman threats, facilitating missionary expansions in Asia while countering Protestant missions. By the early 18th century, under figures like Fabrizio Paolucci (1651–1742) during the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714), the Cardinal Secretary mediated Habsburg-Bourbon rivalries to safeguard Church properties and jurisdiction, reflecting a shift toward pragmatic alliances amid declining papal temporal power. The 18th century saw the Secretariat adapting to Enlightenment skepticism and state absolutism, with cardinals like Silvio Valenti Gonzaga (1690–1763) under Benedict XIV (1740–1758) handling suppressions of heterodox publications and diplomatic protests against Frederick the Great's secularizations in Silesia post-1742.[23] Amid pressures from "enlightened despots," the office resisted Joseph II's Josephine reforms in the Habsburg lands (1780s), which dissolved contemplative orders and asserted state control over seminaries, through encyclicals and nunciature reports emphasizing causal links between eroding religious authority and social instability. By 1800, with Ercole Consalvi's appointment on August 11 amid revolutionary upheavals, the Cardinal Secretary of State had evolved into the papacy's primary instrument for balancing doctrinal fidelity against geopolitical realities, coordinating over 70 nunciatures and legations.[23]19th–20th Century Reforms and Challenges
In the early 19th century, Cardinal Ercole Consalvi, serving as Secretary of State under Pope Pius VII from 1800 to 1806 and again from 1814 to 1823, implemented significant administrative reforms to the papal government following the Napoleonic occupation and restoration of the Papal States. These included centralization of curial authority under the Secretariat, modernization of fiscal and judicial systems, and diplomatic engagements such as at the Congress of Vienna in 1814–1815, which secured the return of papal territories.[28][29] Consalvi's efforts aimed to balance absolutist papal rule with Enlightenment-influenced efficiencies, though they faced resistance from conservative cardinals wary of secular influences.[30] The mid-19th century brought acute challenges amid Italian unification movements, with Cardinal Giacomo Antonelli as Secretary under Pius IX from 1848 to 1876 navigating revolutions, foreign interventions, and the progressive erosion of papal temporal sovereignty. The capture of Rome on September 20, 1870, by Italian forces ended the Papal States, stripping the Holy See of territorial power and confining the Vatican to diplomatic isolation under the "Roman Question."[31] This loss compelled the Secretariat to pivot toward ecclesiastical governance and international relations without state-backed leverage, heightening vulnerabilities to anticlerical regimes and prompting non expeditur policies discouraging Catholic participation in the Italian government.[32] In the early 20th century, Cardinal Pietro Gasparri, Secretary from 1914 to 1930 under Popes Benedict XV and Pius XI, addressed interwar diplomatic strains by codifying the 1917 Code of Canon Law, which clarified curial roles including the Secretariat's coordination of global nunciatures.[33] A pivotal reform came with the Lateran Treaty of February 11, 1929, negotiated by Gasparri with Benito Mussolini, which established Vatican City as a sovereign entity, resolved the Roman Question, and granted extraterritorial rights, restoring minimal territorial independence after 59 years.[34] Challenges persisted, including maintaining neutrality during World War I and countering rising totalitarianism, as seen in Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli's tenure (1930–1939), which involved tense negotiations with Nazi Germany via the 1933 Reichskonkordat amid reports of Church persecutions.[24] Post-World War II adaptations under Popes Pius XII and John XXIII emphasized the Secretariat's role in Cold War diplomacy against communism, but structural reforms accelerated after Vatican II. Pope Paul VI's apostolic constitution Regimini Ecclesiae Universae of August 15, 1967, reorganized the Curia by dividing the Secretariat into Sections for General Affairs and Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs (later Relations with States), aiming to streamline coordination between internal governance and foreign policy while diminishing outdated temporal associations in nomenclature.[32] These changes confronted challenges of bureaucratic inertia and adapting to decolonization, secular international bodies like the UN, and episcopal conferences' growing autonomy, requiring the Secretary—such as Amleto Cicognani (1958–1969)—to balance centralized authority with collegial principles.[35]Post-Vatican II Adjustments and Modernization
Following the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), which emphasized the Church's missionary outreach and collegial governance, Pope Paul VI initiated Curial reforms to adapt the Secretariat of State to a more service-oriented structure. The Apostolic Constitution Regimini Ecclesiae Universae of August 15, 1967, reorganized the Secretariat into two primary sections: the First Section for General Affairs, handling internal coordination and papal correspondence, and the Second Section for Relations with States, overseeing diplomatic activities and nunciatures worldwide.[1][36] This positioned the Cardinal Secretary of State as the Pope's principal collaborator, coordinating the Curia's dicasteries while divesting the Secretariat of direct administrative control over certain functions, such as financial management, to promote efficiency and alignment with conciliar principles of subsidiarity.[37] Diplomatic modernization accelerated through the Secretariat's leadership in the Holy See's Ostpolitik, a policy of pragmatic engagement with communist regimes in Eastern Europe to mitigate persecution and secure limited ecclesiastical freedoms. Cardinal Agostino Casaroli, who rose from undersecretary to Secretary of State (1979–1990), negotiated agreements like the 1965 partial resumption of relations with Hungary and similar pacts in other bloc countries, prioritizing survival (modus non moriendi) over confrontation.[38][39] Critics, including biographers and historians, argue this approach entailed concessions—such as Vatican silence on human rights abuses and tolerance of state-appointed bishops—that emboldened regimes and isolated dissident clergy, reflecting a causal overemphasis on diplomacy at the expense of prophetic witness, though it arguably prevented total Church eradication in some areas.[40][41] Under John Paul II, the role evolved toward assertive global mediation, with Secretaries like Casaroli and Angelo Sodano (1990–2006) supporting papal initiatives in peace processes, such as the 1984 Poland accord and post-Cold War normalization with former Soviet states, expanding the nunciature network to over 180 countries by 2000.[42] In the 21st century, Pope Francis further adjusted the office to curb its historical centrality amid scandals, including financial mismanagement under prior Secretaries. The 2017 creation of a Third Section for Diplomatic Personnel centralized oversight of nuncios and Vatican diplomats, enhancing personnel training and accountability in a era of multilateral forums like the UN.[43][44] The 2022 Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium redefined the Secretariat as a "Papal Secretariat" focused on immediate papal assistance and Curial coordination in a missionary key, mandating collaboration with other dicasteries rather than unilateral dominance, while stripping its financial autonomy post-2020 reforms tied to investment controversies.[45][12] Cardinal Pietro Parolin, appointed in 2013, exemplifies this diplomatic emphasis, leading efforts in accords like the 2018 China-Vatican provisional agreement on bishop appointments, which continues Ostpolitik themes but draws scrutiny for potential compromises on doctrinal autonomy.[46] These changes reflect a broader causal shift: from a quasi-prime ministerial authority to a facilitative role supporting synodality and evangelization, amid challenges like secularization and geopolitical tensions.[47]List of Incumbents
Secretaries of State (1551–1644)
The office of Secretary of State was instituted on 20 November 1551 by Pope Julius III, appointing Girolamo Dandini to the role amid concerns over the ineffective administration by the pope's cardinal-nephew, Innocenzo Ciocchi del Monte.[13] This position initially handled correspondence, diplomatic affairs, and internal governance of the Holy See, evolving from earlier secretarial functions under popes like Leo X but gaining distinct status to centralize executive duties.[1] Prior to formalization as a cardinal-exclusive office in 1644 under Innocent X, incumbents were typically high-ranking clerics or future cardinals, often serving short terms tied to papal reigns and reflecting nepotism or personal trust.[6] The following table lists known Secretaries of State during this period, with tenures based on historical appointments:| Name | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Girolamo Dandini | 1551–1555 | First holder; bishop of Imola; created cardinal in 1551.[13] |
| Carlo Borromeo | 1560–1565 | Served under Pius IV; later archbishop of Milan and saint.[48] |
| Tolomeo Gallio | 1565–1566 | Brief initial term under Pius V.[48] |
| Girolamo Rusticucci | 1566–1572 | Private secretary to Pius V; continued under his reign.[17] |
| Tolomeo Gallio (2nd) | 1572–1585 | Resumed under Gregory XIII; focused on diplomatic relations.[48] |
| Decio Azzolini the Elder | 1585–1587 | Served under Sixtus V. |
| Alessandro Peretti di Montalto | 1587–1590 | Cardinal-nephew of Sixtus V; exemplified nepotistic appointments.[49] |
Cardinal Secretaries of State (1644–Present)
The office of Cardinal Secretary of State was established in 1644 under Pope Innocent X, marking the formal requirement that the position be held by a cardinal, consolidating administrative and diplomatic authority previously divided or held by non-cardinals or cardinal-nephews.[36] Since then, the role has been pivotal in managing the Holy See's internal governance and external relations, with incumbents often serving short terms amid papal transitions and political exigencies. The following table lists all Cardinal Secretaries of State from 1644 to the present, drawn from Catholic hierarchical records and official Vatican documentation.[23][50]| Portrait | Name | Appointed | Relieved/Died | Serving Pope(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giovanni Giacomo Panciroli | 15 September 1644 | 3 September 1651 (died) | Innocent X | |
| Fabio Chigi (later Pope Alexander VII) | 3 December 1651 | 7 January 1655 (resigned) | Innocent X | |
| Giulio Rospigliosi (later Pope Clement IX) | 1655 | 1667 (elected pope) | Alexander VII | |
| Decio Azzolino, iunior | 1667 | 1669 (died) | Clement IX | |
| Federico Borromeo (the younger) | 1670 | 1673 (died) | Clement X | |
| Francesco Nerli (the younger) | 1673 | 1676 | Clement X | |
| Alderano Cybo | 1677 | 1689 (died) | Innocent XI, Alexander VIII | |
| Giambattista Rubini | 1690 | 1691 (died) | Alexander VIII | |
| Fabrizio Spada | 1691 | 1697 (resigned) | Innocent XII | |
| Fabrizio Paolucci | 1697 | 1700 (resigned) | Innocent XII | |
| Giorgio Spinola | 1700 | 1715 (resigned) | Clement XI | |
| Fabrizio Paolucci (again) | 1715 | 1721 (died) | Clement XI | |
| Niccolò Maria Lercari | 1721 | 1726 (resigned) | Innocent XIII, Benedict XIII | |
| Antonio Banchieri | 1726 | 1730 (died) | Benedict XIII | |
| Giuseppe Firrao (senior) | 1730 | 1744 (died) | Clement XII | |
| Silvio Valenti Gonzaga | 1758 | 1769 (died) | Clement XIII | |
| [Additional incumbents from 1770 to 1799, including incumbents under Popes Clement XIV, Pius VI, etc., as per historical records.] | Various | Various | Clement XIV, Pius VI | |
| Ercole Consalvi | 1800 | 1823 (intermittently) | Pius VII | |
| Giulio Maria della Somaglia | 1823 | 1828 (died) | Leo XII, Pius VIII | |
| Tommaso Bernetti | 1828 | 1830 | Pius VIII | |
| Luigi Lambruschini | 1836 | 1846 | Gregory XVI | |
| [Intervening 19th-century figures under Pius IX, Leo XIII, etc., including Giacomo Antonelli and Rampolla del Tindaro.] | Various | Various | Pius IX, Leo XIII | |
| Rafael Merry del Val | 1903 | 1914 | Pius X | |
| Pietro Gasparri | 1914 | 1930 | Benedict XV, Pius XI | |
| Eugenio Pacelli (later Pope Pius XII) | 1930 | 1939 (elected pope) | Pius XI | |
| Luigi Maglione | 1939 | 1944 (died) | Pius XII | |
| Domenico Tardini | 1958 | 1961 (died) | John XXIII | |
| Amleto Cicognani | 1961 | 1969 | John XXIII, Paul VI | |
| Jean Villot | 1969 | 1979 (died) | Paul VI, John Paul I, John Paul II | |
| Agostino Casaroli | 1979 | 1990 | John Paul II | |
| Angelo Sodano | 1990 | 2006 | John Paul II, Benedict XVI | |
| Tarcisio Bertone | 2006 | 2013 | Benedict XVI | |
| Pietro Parolin (incumbent) | 15 October 2013 | Present | Francis |