Apostolic Signatura

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The Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura (Latin: Supremum Tribunal Signaturae Apostolicae) is the highest judicial authority in the Catholic Church (apart from the pope himself, who as supreme ecclesiastical judge is the final point of appeal for any ecclesiastical judgment).^[1] In addition, it oversees the administration of justice in the church.^[2]

Since 8 November 2014, the prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura has been Cardinal Dominique Mamberti.^[3] Its secretary since 26 January 2022 has been Bishop elect Andrea Ripa.^[4]

The Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura is housed in the Italian Renaissance-era Palazzo della Cancelleria in Rome, Italy, which also is the headquarters and meeting place of the Roman Catholic Church's other two Tribunals. The two other Tribunals located there are the Sacred Roman Rota (which is normally the final appellate tribunal of the church for most court cases, especially regarding marriage nullity and ecclesiastical trials and disciplinary procedures), and the Apostolic Penitentiary (which is a tribunal of mercy concerning the forgiveness of sins reserved to the Holy See).