Description: On the world stage, the Holy See acts as both a religious and a political actor. As the head of over 1.2 billion Catholics, the pope is a widely recognized spiritual authority. Politically, the Holy See maintains diplomatic relations with other states and actively participates in international organizations such as the United Nations.
Brief description: A. Alexander Stummvoll holds an MPhil in international relations from the University of Oxford and a PhD in political and social sciences from the European University Institute. He is the co-winner of the 2015 young researchers' award of the papal foundation Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice for his contribution to the study of Catholic social doctrine. Stummvoll currently works in Baden-Baden as district director for a member of the German Parliament.