What is the Roman Curia?
–It is the organization of various bodies to which the Pope has delegated the exercise of his jurisdiction. Almost all the heads of the bodies in the Roman Curia are cardinals. The Roman Curia is the papal court; it is the core of the government of the Church. The Holy Father possesses complete and absolute power over the government of the Church; but it is not possible for him to exercise his authority personally and directly over every detail in the worldwide Church. A great deal of the jurisdiction has therefore been delegated to the Roman Curia, which at present consists of: • Twelve Congregations, namely: Of the Holy Office, of the Consistory, for the Oriental Church, of the Sacraments, of the Council, of Religious, for the Propagation of the Faith, of Sacred Rites, of Ceremonies, of Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs, of Seminaries and Universities, and of the Basilica of St. Peter. • Three Tribunals, namely: Sacred Penitentiary, Sacred Roman Rota, and Apostolic Signature. • F
