What Is the Pope's Right-Hand Man Called
The pope's right-hand man is formally known as the Cardinal Secretary of State, the senior officer of the Roman Curia who manages the Holy See's diplomatic and administrative affairs. This role is the closest equivalent to a chief of staff or prime minister for the pope, coordinating Vatican communications, foreign relations, and internal governance. The position is currently held by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who was appointed to the role by Pope Francis and continues to shape the Vatican's global engagement. For background on the role, see the overview at Vatican.va.
Historically, the title evolved from the medieval papal chancery, where secretaries handled papal correspondence and policy. Over centuries, the role expanded into a full-fledged executive position overseeing the Secretariat of State, the oldest and most important dicastery in the Roman Curia. Today, the Cardinal Secretary of State works closely with other senior Vatican officials and often represents the pope in international meetings, including at the United Nations and with heads of state.
Key Responsibilities of the Papal Chief of Staff
The Cardinal Secretary of State directs the Section for General Affairs and the Section for Relations with States within the Secretariat of State. These sections handle everything from scheduling the pope's audiences to negotiating concordats and diplomatic agreements between the Holy See and sovereign nations. The role also supervises the Vatican's response to global crises, coordinates with bishops' conferences, and manages internal curial processes.
In practice, the right-hand man to the pope reviews and prioritizes papal documents, coordinates visits and journeys, and acts as a central hub for information flowing into and out of the Apostolic Palace. The position requires deep expertise in canon law, international relations, and Church administration, and the Cardinal Secretary of State typically serves as a key advisor on appointments and major policy decisions.
Current Structure and Influence in the Vatican
Under Pope Francis, the Secretariat of State has been reorganized to emphasize transparency and coordination with other dicasteries. The Cardinal Secretary of State works alongside the Secretary for the Economy and other heads of Vatican offices to align financial, administrative, and pastoral activities. This structure aims to ensure that the pope's priorities on synodality, charity, and mission are implemented consistently across the global Church.
While the pope retains ultimate authority, the right-hand man to the pope exercises significant day-to-day influence by shaping agendas, managing crises, and representing the Holy See in high-level dialogues. The role is not a political office in the secular sense but functions as a central coordinating position that affects diplomacy, Church governance, and public communication for one of the world's most influential religious institutions. For more on Vatican governance, see the overview at Vatican.va.