Apostolic Nunciature to Cologne
An apostolic nuncio at Cologne was appointed in 1584 on the instigation of Emperor Rudolph II of the Holy Roman Empire.The Archbishop-Electorate of Cologne was chosen for being a stronghold of Catholicism in the northwest of the Empire in vicinity to areas where Calvinism (Bremen, Dutch Republic, East Frisia, Lippe) and Lutheranism (elsewhere in Northern Germany) were gaining more and more support.Besides Cologne, Mainz, and Trier, the nuncios could wield their jurisdiction undisputedly for the prince-bishoprics of Hildesheim, Liège, Osnabrück, Paderborn, and Würzburg.[1] On the instigation of Charles Theodore, Elector of Bavaria, another nunciature was established by Pope Pius VI in Munich.[1] Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor, sided with the electors, and declared he would recognise nuncios in their "political character" only.