Holy See 1.3.1

The Vatican City was created to ensure the absolute and visible independence of the Holy See, guaranteeing it as an indisputable and internationally recognised sovereignty. Thus, the Pope, as Sovereign of the Vatican City State, has the complete freedom to exercise his spiritual authority over more than a billion Catholics world-wide. The Head of the College of Bishops and pastor of the universal Church, the Sovereign Pontiff exercises ordinary, supreme and universal power in the Church. In carrying out this specific and universal mission, he is assisted by the bodies of the Holy See, which together constitute the Roman Curia.