The post of Governor of Vatican City (Governatore dello Stato della Città del Vaticano in Italian) was held by Marchese Camillo Serafini from the foundation of the state in 1929 until his death in 1952. No successor was appointed, and the post itself was not mentioned in the Fundamental Law of Vatican City State issued by Pope John Paul II on 26 November 2000, which entered into force on 22 February 2001.
Even during the lifetime of Marchese Serafini, the powers of the Governor were limited by Pope Pius XII in 1939 by the establishment of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State — consisting of a number of cardinals, originally three, but later increased to seven. The President of this Commission has exercised since 1952 the functions that were previously attributed to the Governor. Since 2001, he is also given the title of President of the Governorate of the State of Vatican City.
Famous quotes containing the words governor of, governor and/or city:
“Three years ago, also, when the Sims tragedy was acted, I said to myself, There is such an officer, if not such a man, as the Governor of Massachusetts,—what has he been about the last fortnight? Has he had as much as he could do to keep on the fence during this moral earthquake?... He could at least have resigned himself into fame.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“[John] Brough’s majority is “glorious to behold.” It is worth a big victory in the field. It is decisive as to the disposition of the people to prosecute the war to the end. My regiment and brigade were both unanimous for Brough [the Union party candidate for governor of Ohio].”
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“The great city is that which has the greatest man or woman:
If it be a few ragged huts, it is still the greatest city in the whole
world.”
—Walt Whitman (1819–1892)