Creating the Secretariat for Communications

The current context of communication, characterized by the presence and the development of digital media, by factors of convergence and of interactivity, requires a rethinking of the Holy See's information systems and compels us to a reorganization that, emphasizing how throughout history, the practice of communication within the Holy See has developed and proceeded toward a unified integration and management.

For these reasons, I felt that all the organizations that, in various ways so far have dealt with communications, should be brought together into a new Dicastery within the Roman Curia, which will be known as the Secretariat for Communication.  Thus, the Holy See's communications systems will better respond to the necessities facing the mission of the Church.

Therefore, after reviewing reports and studies, and having recently received the feasibility study, and having heard the unanimous opinion of the Council of Cardinals, I hereby institute the Secretariat for Communication and establish the following:

Article 1
In the Dicastery, according to that which was presented by the Commission for Vatican Media, instituted on April 30, 2015, the following Organizations will be incorporated: the Pontifical Council for Social Communications; the Holy See Press Centre; the Vatican Internet Service; Radio Vaticana; the Vatican Television Centre; l'Osservatore Romano; the Vatican Printing House; the Vatican Photographic Service and the Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

Article 2
These bodies, from the date of publication of this Motu Proprio, must continue their proper activities, in accordance however with the directives furnished by the Secretariat for Communication.

Article 3
The new Dicastery, in accord with the Secretariat of State, will assume the established website of the Holy See: www.vatican.va and the Twitter service of the Supreme Pontiff: @pontifex.

Article 4
The Secretariat for Communication will enter into effect as of June 29, 2015, having as its temporary location, the Palazzo Pio, located at Piazza Pia, 3; 00120; Vatican City.

Everything that has been declared in this Apostolic Letter, issued in the form of Motu Proprio, I prescribe to be observed in all its parts, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, even if it be worthy of special mention, and I decree that it be promulgated by publication in the newspaper l'Osservatore Romano and also in the Acta Apostolicae Sedis.

Given at Rome, at Saint Peter's
on the 27th day of June in the year 2015
the third of our Pontificate.

Francis