As the Holy See, the papacy is a sovereign entity with diplomatic relations,[4] and civil jurisdiction over the Vatican City State located geographically within Rome.

Historically, many Rome-born men, as well as others born elsewhere on the Italian Peninsula have served as bishops of Rome.

In addition, throughout history non-Italians have served as bishops of Rome, beginning with the first of them according to Catholic tradition, Saint Peter.

The best evidence available for the origins of the Church in Rome is Saint Paul's Epistle to the Romans.

Two vicars general exercise the episcopal ministry and pastoral government for their respective territories within the diocese of Rome.

[19] Since 1970 the vicar of the city of Rome has also been assigned the office of archpriest of the Lateran Archbasilica, where the diocesan curia has its headquarters.

From a strictly pastoral point of view, the diocese is divided into five sectors: north, south, east, west, and center.

Each sector is assigned an auxiliary bishop who collaborates with the vicar general and the vicegerent in the pastoral administration of the diocese.

In January 2023, Pope Francis reorganized the Diocese of Rome, greatly restricted the role of vicar general.

[20][21] He defined the vicar general's role as a coordinator of the work of diocesan bodies, defined him as an auxiliary, and restricted his sphere of responsibility with the rule that the vicar general "will not undertake important initiatives or ones exceeding ordinary administration without first reporting to me".