Abstract
Nowadays, the Holy See has formal diplomatic relations with almost all states around the world as well as with many international organizations and other entities. One of them is the United Nations (UN), where it holds the interesting position of a Permanent Observer.
The Holy Seeʼs diplomacy considers the UN as one of the most important organizations in international relations through which it can puruse its own aims. Thus, diplomats of the Holy See are leading figures in lobbying for human dignity at the UN Security Council, UN General Assembly as well as in various international conferences.
Moreover, popes since Paul VI through their addresses to the General Assembly have been trying to shape world public opinion and defend elementary human rights grounded in the natural law. My aim in the following text is, then, twofold.
First, I try to clarify the role of the Holy See as a Permanent Observer and a Non-member State of the UN. Therefore, I aim at explaining its genesis, historical development and the rights and duties of the Holy See at the UN.
Second, I try to shed some light on leading principles and aims of its diplomacy at the UN. At the conclusion I describe Holy Seeʼs position in the long-lasting debate over the UN reform.