ITALIAN BISHOP''S CONFERENCE

Founded in 1952, the Italian Bishops’ Conference is the permanent assembly of Italian bishops. It is tasked with directing the pastoral life of the church in Italy, maintaining relations between the Italian state and the Catholic Church, and managing the funds raised through the “eight per thousand” system, which is based on the provisions of the 1929 agreement between Italy and the Vatican (modified in 1984). The president of the conference is chosen directly by the pope.