The Holy See, as distinct from the city-state of the Vatican City, has long been recognised as a subject of international law and as an active participant in international relations.
Since World War II its interaction with the world has increased considerably and now it enjoys full diplomatic relations with 178 states worldwide.
Besides, it has relations with the European Union and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and a mission with a special character: the office of the Palestine Liberation Organisation.
Moreover, the Holy See is also represented with permanent observer status before the United Nations, and is a member of seven UN agencies and organisations, observer in another eight, and either member or observer in five regional organisations.
The last state to establish diplomatic relations with the Holy See was Russia. The then President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, ordered the establishment of full diplomatic relations between Russia and the Holy See, following his meeting with Pope Benedict XVI in December 2009.
In Malta, the Apostolic Nunciature was appointed on December 15, 1965. The last Apostolic Nuncio was Archbishop Tommaso Caputo. At present the Nunciature is vacant.