The Holy See’s widespread diplomatic relations in 2026

Only 12 countries do not have formal diplomatic relations with the Holy See.

The states with no formal relations with the Vatican at all are Afghanistan, Bhutan, the People's Republic of China (except for temporary pastoral agreements signed in 2018), North Korea, and the Maldives.

It also has no relations with Tuvalu, but has an apostolic delegation for the Pacific; similarly, it has no relations with Saudi Arabia, but has an apostolic delegation for the Arabian Peninsula.

In some countries, instead of an ambassador, the Holy See has apostolic delegates: the Comoros, Somalia, Brunei, and Laos.

Finally, in a special case, since 2024 the Holy See has had a “resident pontifical representative” in Vietnam — who is not, however, an ambassador.

In his speech to the diplomatic corps on Friday, Pope Leo XIV welcomed the progress made in relations with this country.

Three diplomatic missions opened offices in Rome in 2025: Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Burundi, bringing the total number of embassies to 93. Non-resident ambassadors are based in Berlin, Paris, Geneva, or Madrid.

The Holy See has 128 nunciatures, which are equivalent to embassies for the Holy See.

In 2025, the Holy See signed two bilateral agreements: on July 31 with Italy concerning the installation of a photovoltaic power plant in the territorial enclave of Santa Maria di Galeria north of Rome; and on September 29 with the German state of Berlin, concerning the operation of the Institute for Catholic Theology at Humboldt University in the German capital.

Lastly, on November 3, an agreement on spiritual assistance to the Italian armed forces, which had been signed in 2024, came into force.