In a curious public statement, the Vatican announced on December 19 that “the use of anything referring directly to the person or office of the Supreme Pontiff …, and/or the use of the title 'Pontifical', must receive previous and express authorization from the Holy See.”
The directive, issued by the Secretariat of State, was designed to curtail unauthorized use of the Pope’s name. The Vatican press office, in announcing the new policy, observed that “attempts have been made to attribute …
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