Why is the Vatican called the See?

Why is Vatican City called the 'Holy See'? 'See' as a noun means "the seat or office of a bishop". 'Holy See' means the see of the bishop of Rome. Therefore, the term refers to the city-state of Vatican because it happens to be the territory in which the Pope resides.
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Why is it called a see?

The word see is derived from Latin sedes, which in its original or proper sense denotes the seat or chair that, in the case of a bishop, is the earliest symbol of the bishop's authority. This symbolic chair is also known as the bishop's cathedra.
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Is the Vatican called Holy See?

Vatican City

The Holy See is the name given to the government of the Roman Catholic Church, which is led by the pope as the bishop of Rome.
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What's the meaning of of Holy See?

Holy See in British English

noun Roman Catholic Church. 1. the see of the pope as bishop of Rome and head of the Church. 2. the Roman curia.
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What is the difference between the Holy See and the Vatican?

It is the central governing body of the worldwide Catholic Church, headquartered in the Vatican City. So, Vatican City is used when referring to a country while Holy See is used when referring to the area governed by the Bishop of Rome, which includes the Vatican and the entire Catholic Church.
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Vatican City Explained



Who owns the Holy See?

The Holy See is the universal government of the Catholic Church and operates from Vatican City State, a sovereign, independent territory. The Pope is the ruler of both Vatican City State and the Holy See.
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What is the salary of a Catholic cardinal?

Cardinals who work at the Vatican and live there or in Rome are believed to get salaries of about 4,000 to 5,000 euros ($4,730 to $5,915) a month, and many live in large apartments at well below market rents. Get a head start on the morning's top stories.
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Who owns the Vatican?

The Holy See is the organization that owns the Vatican, i.e. the smallest independent city-state in the world. They print their own passports, have their own media, and even maintain their own mail service, all for a population numbering no more than 1,000 people.
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Who lives in the Holy See?

The majority of Vatican City's 600 citizens live abroad.

That number included 71 cardinals, 109 members of the Swiss Guard, 51 members of the clergy and one nun inside the Vatican walls. The largest group of citizens, however, was the 307 members of the clergy in diplomatic positions around the world.
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Does the Vatican have an army?

The Vatican City State has never had independent armed forces, but it has always had a de facto military provided by the armed forces of the Holy See: the Pontifical Swiss Guard, the Noble Guard, the Palatine Guard, and the Papal Gendarmerie Corps.
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What is the Pope chair called?

The Chair of Saint Peter (Latin: Cathedra Petri), also known as the Throne of Saint Peter, is a relic conserved in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, the sovereign enclave of the Pope inside Rome, Italy.
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Which country is called the Holy See?

The Holy See is a landlocked enclave of Rome, Italy, located in Southern Europe. The government system is ecclesiastical; the chief of state is the Pope, and the head of government is the secretary of state.
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Can a woman be pope?

But a woman is barred from becoming pope, because the person chosen for the position would have to be ordained — and women are barred from becoming priests. According to the Catholic Church catechism, Jesus Christ chose 12 men to be his apostles, and they in turn chose men to continue their ministry.
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Can you wear blue jeans to the Vatican?

Yes, as long as your knees and above are covered you will be fine. If your jeans are ripped on the thigh it could be an issue. Cannot imagine wearing jeans in Rome in summer -- as mentioned it is just so hot. And don't forget to bring something to cover shoulders.
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Why is the pope in a wheelchair?

“An inflamed ligament in the knee,” the pope said, noting the condition is common among the elderly. He described it as a problem that would soon pass. But by late April, he said his right knee was “still not healing.” Soon after, he was using a wheelchair.
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Has anyone been born in the Vatican?

No one is born in the Vatican State

Unlike most other countries in the world, citizenship in Vatican City isn't solely provided to people that are born in the country. As there are no hospitals in the Vatican State, virtually no one is born in there.
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What is the Vatican hiding?

The Vatican Secret Archives includes state papers, correspondence, account books, and many other documents that the church has accrued over the centuries. Under the orders of Pope Paul V, the Secret Archive was separated from the Vatican Library in the 17th century.
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Does the Pope smoke?

Pope Francis, who had a lung removed as a teenager, does not smoke.
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Who is the Pope's wife?

However, the rule books when you become Pope are a little stricter. You have to learn multiple languages, attend confession, meet with heads of state, lead mass services, and remain celibate. This means the simple answer to this article's question is no, Popes do not marry.
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Do priests have to be virgins?

So no, virginity is apparently not a requirement, but a vow of celibacy is. The Wall has reached out to other walls on campus for additional comment.
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Does the pope get a salary?

The pope will not be affected by the cuts, because he does not receive a salary. “As an absolute monarch, he has everything at his disposal and nothing at his disposal,” Mr. Muolo said. “He doesn't need an income, because he has everything that he needs.”
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Why Holy See is not a state?

The sovereignty of the Papacy is different from that of the States. The Holy See is not a State, for it does not possess the inherent elements of one. The exiguous character of Vatican territory, in contrast with that of the former Pontifical States, is an impediment in its path to be seen as a State.
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Does the Vatican own Rolex?

Rolex SA is owned by the private Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, which is registered as a charity and does not pay corporate income taxes.
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Can the Pope drink alcohol?

Based on past evidence, it seems that Pope Francis may indeed like the odd tipple of whisky now and then (which he is allowed to drink), as it's not the first time he's received bottles, or even used the 'holy water' line.
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