Holy See (Vatican City)

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Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid-19th century, when the newly established Kingdom of Italy seized many of the Papal States. In 1870, the pope's holdings were further circumscribed when Rome itself was annexed. Disputes between Italy and a series of "prisoner" popes were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties, which established the independent state of Vatican City and granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy. In 1984, a concordat between the Holy See and Italy modified some of the earlier treaty provisions, including the primacy of Roman Catholicism as the Italian state religion. <br><br>Present concerns of the Holy See include religious freedom, threats against minority Christian communities in Africa and the Middle East, the plight of refugees and migrants, climate change and the environment, conflict and war, nuclear weapons, artificial intelligence, sexual misconduct by clergy, humanitarian issues, interreligious dialogue and reconciliation, and the application of church doctrine in an era of rapid change and globalization. About 1.3 billion people worldwide profess Catholicism, the world's largest Christian faith.

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Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)

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41 54 N, 12 27 E

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Europe

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about 0.7 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

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0 km (landlocked)

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none (landlocked)

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temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to May) with hot, dry summers (May to September)

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urban; low hill

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none

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occasional earthquakes

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landlocked; an enclave in Rome, Italy; world's smallest state

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Italian, Swiss, Argentinian, and other nationalities from around the world (2017)

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Roman Catholic

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0% (2014 est.)

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1,000 VATICAN CITY (capital) (2018)

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some air pollution from the surrounding city of Rome

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temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to May) with hot, dry summers (May to September)

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ecclesiastical elective monarchy; self-described as an "absolute monarchy"

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religious system based on canon (religious) law

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has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

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<strong>note:</strong> in the Holy See, citizenship is acquired by law, ex iure, or by adminstrative decision; in the first instance, citizenship is a function of holding office within the Holy See as in the case of cardinals resident in Vatican City or diplomats of the Holy See; in the second instance, citizenship may be requested in a limited set of circumstances for those who reside within Vatican City under papal authorization, as a function of their office or service, or as the spouses and children of current citizens; citizenship is lost once an individual no longer permanently resides in Vatican City, normally reverting to the citizenship previously held

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election of the pope is limited to cardinals under 80 years old

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<strong>note:</strong> the Motu Proprio (papal directive) of Pope PIUS XII established judicial duties on 1 May 1946; most Vatican City criminal matters are handled by the Republic of Italy courts

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none

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CE (observer), IAEA, Interpol, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, Schengen Convention (de facto member), UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UNWTO (observer), UPU, WIPO, WTO (observer)

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11 February 1929

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<strong>note:</strong> the three treaties signed with Italy on 11 February 1929 acknowledged the full sovereignty of the Holy See and established its territorial extent, but the origin of the Papal States, which over centuries varied considerably in extent, can be traced back to A.D. 754

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<strong>description:</strong> two vertical bands of yellow (left side) and white, with the arms of the Holy See centered in the white band; the arms show the crossed keys of Saint Peter under the three-tiered papal tiara <br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> yellow stands for the pope's spiritual power, and white for his worldly power

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crossed keys under a papal tiara

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yellow, white

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limited, tourism-based economy; euro user with own minted coins; produces commemorative stamps, coins, and publications to support museums and religious needs; residents pay no direct taxes; &ldquo;zero deficit&rdquo; plan to address budget shortfall

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printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps; mosaics, staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities

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<strong>note: </strong>while not an EU member state, the Holy See has a 2000 monetary agreement with Italy and the EU to produce limited euro coinage—but not banknotes—that began enforcement in January 2002

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the Vatican Television Center (CTV) transmits live broadcasts of the Pope's weekly audiences, as well as his public celebrations; CTV also produces documentaries; Vatican Radio is the official broadcasting service via shortwave, AM, and FM frequencies, as well as satellite and web; Vatican News website partners with Vatican Radio and provides Catholic news from the Vatican (2021)

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.va

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1 (2025)

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the Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera Pontificia) serves as the de facto military force of Vatican City; the Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City (Corpo della Gendarmeriais) is a police force that helps augment the Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps during the Pope’s appearances, as well as providing general security, traffic direction, and investigative duties for the Vatican City State (2025)

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<strong>note: </strong>the Swiss Guard Corps has protected the Pope and his residence since 1506

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Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps: 19-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; must be a single Roman Catholic male with Swiss citizenship who has completed basic training with the Swiss military and can obtain a certificate of good conduct; qualified candidates must apply to serve; the service contract is between 2 and 25 years (2025)

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defense is the responsibility of Italy