Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) on Wednesday, 1 December 2010.

Rome: Embassies

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government why they require two embassies in Rome.

Answer: The United Kingdom, along with 178 other states, maintains full diplomatic relations with the Holy See, and recognises the Pope as a Head of State. The United Kingdom maintains separate embassies to the Republic of Italy and to the Holy See, as it is the diplomatic practice of the Holy See not to accept cross-accreditation of ambassadors to these two appointments. Due to security concerns, the embassy to the Holy See relocated in 2005 to the UK's Porta Pia compound in Rome, which also houses our embassy to the Republic of Italy. The two embassies are located in separate buildings on this site. As well as providing necessary security benefits, this relocation has also enabled the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to make some resource savings in terms of back-office functions. More information on the UK’s relationship with the Holy See is available on the Holy See country profile on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Website.

Secondary information