Catholic Church. Apostolic Nunciature (Spain)

Sources differ as to when the office of the papal representatives in Spain became a permanent nunciature, with the dates 1484, 1492, and 1506 being mentioned. During the reign of Emperor Charles V (1519-1558) the affairs of the nuncios to Spain and to the Holy Roman Empire were intermingled. For most of the period from 1522 to 1544 the nuncio to Spain also served as nuncio to the empire. During the period from 1709 to 1720, which corresponded to the latter part of the War of the Spanish Succession and afterward, the office was often vacant (1713-1716 and 1718-1720), or held on an interim basis (1709, 1713, and 1716-1717). The office in Madrid was closed in 1709, and until 1713 the nuncio resided in Barcelona. From 1808 to 1813 the nuncio resided in Cadiz with the Spanish government, while the country was occupied by Napoleon's forces. In 1813 the nuncio was expelled for his opposition to the suppression of the Spanish Inquisition. The nuncio returned to Spain in 1814 with the return of King Ferdinand VII. Relations were severed from 1835 to 1848 over the secularization of monastic lands. The office was held by a charge d'affaires from 1853 to 1857 and from 1869 to 1875 because of political instability and revolution. No nuncio served from 1936 to 1938, only a charge d'affaires representing the Holy See to the nationalist forces.

To see a general agency history for apostolic nunciatures, internunciatures, and delegations, enter "FIN ID VATV221-A"

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