Holy See

The Holy See is legally distinguishable from the Vatican City, which is a territory over which the Holy See has sovereignty: some treaties the Holy See is a party to in itself, other treaties it is a party to in respect of the Vatican City.

However, the foreign embassies are credited to the Holy See and not to the Vatican State.

Generally, the Holy See as a party to a treaty reflects the interests of the Roman Catholic church, while Vatican City is generally only party to treaties which are not of general significance, e.g., treaties regarding co-operation with Italy.

Apart from Rome the episcopal see of Mainz is also called a holy see.