Comprehensive Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Palestine Comprehensive Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Palestine The Comprehensive Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Palestine is an agreement signed between the Vatican City State and the Palestinian Liberation Organization as representing the State of Palestine. It regulates the rights and obligations of the Catholic Church in areas of the Palestinian Authority, and reflects Vatican support of Palestinian aspirations for an independent state. The Vatican has been an ardent supporter of the Palestinian political struggle for an independent state ever since 1967. This support, in addition to the desire to gain support for
Holy See and two Italian sites outside of Rome, including the Pontifical Palace at Castel Gandolfo. The same authority is extended under international law over the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See in a foreign country. Though, like various European powers, earlier Popes recruited Swiss mercenaries as part of an army, the Pontifical Swiss Guard was founded by Pope Julius II on 22 January 1506 as the personal bodyguard of the Pope and continues to fulfill that function. It is listed in the "Annuario Pontificio" under "Holy See", not under "State of Vatican City". At the end of 2005, the Guard had