Vaticanologist is a term coined in the mid-to-late twentieth century to describe journalists, academics and commentators whose area of expertise is in studying and understanding the manner by which the Holy See and the Roman Catholic Church operates. Particular emphasis is placed on the selection and appointment mechanisms by which its leadership elite emerges.

It owes its origins to the term Kremlinologist , which was used to describe media, academic and commentary experts who followed the function of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in general and the functioning and selection of the leadership elite in particular.

Both the Kremlin and the Holy See operated in a great degree of secrecy and mystery, hence the attention paid to 'experts' who were presumed to be able to read subtle nuances indicating who was on the 'way up', who was on the 'way down' and who were the 'ones to watch' within their leadership elites.

The most famous Vaticanologist was the author and commentator Peter Hebblethwaite , who wrote biographies on among others Pope John XXIII and Pope Paul VI, as well as a best-selling account of the Year of Three Popes.