Des légats aux nonces. Les nouveautes dans la représentation diplomatique du Saint-Siège au XVIe siècle

Abstract

In the sixteenth century papal diplomacy adapted itself to the new conditions of international relations. As elsewhere in catholic Europe, nuncios (the papal ambassadors) become permanent. Moreover, in order to cope with the Protestant reformation, they increasingly have the rank of bishop and their diplomatic mission was accompanied by a religious role. In addition, the council of Trent, which increased the powers of bishops, had as a result a rarity of the legates a latere, the Holy See’s solemn envoys who were still very numerous in the first half of the century. A new profile appeared: more and more the nuncios made their careers in the service of the papacy. These new features in pontifical diplomacy have continued down to our time.