2024 Edition Primary

Background

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. 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.

Area

land

0.44 sq km

total

0 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

about 0.7 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC

Climate

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

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation

highest point

Vatican Gardens (Vatican Hill) 78 m

lowest point

Saint Peter's Square 19 m

Geographic coordinates

41 54 N, 12 27 E

Geography - note

landlocked; an enclave in Rome, Italy; world's smallest state; beyond the territorial boundary of Vatican City, the Lateran Treaty of 1929 grants the Holy See extraterritorial authority over 23 sites in Rome and five outside of Rome, including the Pontifical Palace at Castel Gandolfo (the Pope's summer residence)

Land boundaries

border countries

Italy 3.4 km

total

3.4 km

Land use

agricultural land

0% (2018 est.)

other

100% (2018 est.)

Location

Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

occasional earthquakes

Natural resources

none

Terrain

urban; low hill

Drinking water source

improved: total

total: 100% of population (2019 est.)

Ethnic groups

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

Languages

Languages

Italian, Latin, French, various other languages

major-language sample(s)

L'Almanacco dei fatti del mondo, l'indispensabile fonte per le informazioni di base. (Italian)The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Major urban areas - population

1,000 VATICAN CITY (capital) (2018)

Nationality

adjective

none

noun

none

Population

total

1,000 (2022 est.)

Population growth rate

0% (2014 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

100% of total population (2023)

Administrative divisions

none

Capital

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

etymology

the term "Vatican" derives from the hill Mons Vaticanus on which the Vatican is located and which comes from the Latin "vaticinari" (to prophesy), referring to the fortune tellers and soothsayers who frequented the area in Roman times

geographic coordinates

41 54 N, 12 27 E

name

Vatican City

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

no

dual citizenship recognized

no

note

note: 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

residency requirement for naturalization

not applicable

Constitution

amendments

note - although the Fundamental Law of Vatican City State makes no mention of amendments, Article Four (drafting laws), states that this legislative responsibility resides with the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State; draft legislation is submitted through the Secretariat of State and considered by the pope

history

previous 1929, 2000; latest issued by Pope FRANCIS 13 May 2023, effective 7 June 2023 (Fundamental Law of Vatican City State, the main governing document of the Vatican's civil entities); the Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus – the departments and ministries – used by the pontiff in governing the church; note - Pope Francis in October 2013, instituted a 9-member Council of Cardinal Advisers to reform the Roman Curia to include writing a new constitution; in June 2018, Pope Francis approved the Council of Cardinals' first draft of the new apostolic constitution, Predicate Evangelium (Preach the Gospel); it became effective 5 June 2022, replacing Pastor Bonus, the previous governing document of the Roman Curia

Country name

conventional long form

The Holy See (Vatican City State)

conventional short form

Holy See (Vatican City)

etymology

"holy" comes from the Greek word "hera" meaning "sacred"; "see" comes from the Latin word "sedes" meaning "seat," and refers to the episcopal chair; the term "Vatican" derives from the hill Mons Vaticanus on which the Vatican is located and which comes from the Latin "vaticinari" (to prophesy), referring to the fortune tellers and soothsayers who frequented the area in Roman times

local long form

La Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)

local short form

Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Laura HOCHLA (since 8 July 2024)

email address and website

https://va.usembassy.gov/

embassy

Via Sallustiana, 49, 00187 Rome

FAX

[39] (06) 4674-3411

mailing address

5660 Holy See Place, Washington DC  20521-5660

telephone

[39] (06) 4674-1

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Apostolic Nuncio Cardinal Christophe PIERRE (since 27 June 2016)

email address and website

nuntiususa@nuntiususa.orghttp://www.nuntiususa.org/

FAX

[1] (202) 337-4036

telephone

[1] (202) 333-7121

Executive branch

cabinet

Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City appointed by the pope

chief of state

Pope FRANCIS (since 13 March 2013)

election results

2013: Jorge Mario BERGOGLIO, former Archbishop of Buenos Aires, elected Pope FRANCIS

elections/appointments

pope elected by the College of Cardinals, usually for life or until voluntary resignation; election last held on 13 March 2013 after the resignation of Pope BENEDICT XVI (next to be held after the death or resignation of the current pope); Secretary of State appointed by the pope

head of government

President of the Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City and President of the Governorate of the Vatican City State Fernando VERGEZ ALZAGA (since 1 October 2021)

Flag description

two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the arms of the Holy See, consisting of the crossed keys of Saint Peter surmounted by the three-tiered papal tiara, centered in the white band; the yellow color represents the pope's spiritual power, the white his worldly power

Government type

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

Independence

11 February 1929; note - the three treaties signed with Italy on 11 February 1929 acknowledged, among other things, the full sovereignty of the Holy See and established its territorial extent; however, the origin of the Papal States, which over centuries varied considerably in extent, may be traced back to A.D. 754

International law organization participation

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

International organization participation

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)

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

Supreme Court or Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura (consists of the cardinal prefect, who serves as ex-officio president of the court, and 2 other cardinals of the Prefect Signatura); note - judicial duties were established by the Motu Proprio, papal directive, of Pope PIUS XII on 1 May 1946; most Vatican City criminal matters are handled by the Republic of Italy courts

judge selection and term of office

cardinal prefect appointed by the pope; the other 2 cardinals of the court appointed by the cardinal prefect on a yearly basis

subordinate courts

Appellate Court of Vatican City; Tribunal of Vatican City

Legal system

religious legal system based on canon (religious) law

Legislative branch

description

unicameral Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City or Pontificia Commissione per lo Stato della Citta del Vaticano; 7 seats appointed by the pope

election results

composition - men 6, woman 1

elections

appointment dates vary

National anthem

lyrics/music

Raffaello LAVAGNA/Charles-Francois GOUNOD

name

"Inno e Marcia Pontificale" (Hymn and Pontifical March); often called The Pontifical Hymn

note

note: adopted 1950

National heritage

selected World Heritage Site locales

Historic Center of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura; Vatican City

total World Heritage Sites

2 (both cultural)

National holiday

Election Day of Pope FRANCIS, 13 March (2013)

National symbol(s)

crossed keys beneath a papal tiara; national colors: yellow, white

Political parties

none

Suffrage

election of the pope is limited to cardinals less than 80 years old

Economic overview

limited, tourism-based economy; euro user but issues commemorative stamps and coins; solar energy producer; some printing industry to support museums and religious needs

Exchange rates

Currency

euros (EUR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2019

0.893 (2019 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

0.876 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

0.845 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

0.95 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

0.925 (2023 est.)

note

note: 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

Industries

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

Labor force

4,822 (2016)

Electricity access

electrification - total population

100% (2021)

Broadcast media

the Vatican Television Center (CTV) transmits live broadcasts of the Pope's Sunday and Wednesday audiences, as well as the Pope's public celebrations; CTV also produces documentaries; Vatican Radio is the Holy See's official broadcasting service broadcasting via shortwave, AM and FM frequencies, and via satellite and Internet connections; Vatican News website partners with Vatican Radio and provides Catholic news provided by the Vatican (2021)

Communications - note

the Vatican Apostolic Library is one of the world's oldest libraries, formally established in 1475, but actually much older; it holds a significant collection of historic texts including 1.1 million printed books and 75,000 codices (manuscript books with handwritten contents); it serves as a research library for history, law, philosophy, science, and theology; the library's collections have been described as "the world's greatest treasure house of the writings at the core of Western tradition"

Internet country code

.va

Internet users

percent of population

75% (2021 est.)

total

383 (2021 est.)

Telecommunication systems

domestic

the telephone system operates through an automatic digital exchange (2020)

general assessment

the Vatican’s interior telecommunication system is composed of two strongly integrated sub-systems: fixed infrastructure and mobile infrastructure; it is important to note that the mobile communication system has been designed to be capable of using satellite connections so that it is possible to ensure telecommunication services whenever needed, including wherever the Pope travels; the telephone system operates through an automatic digital exchange (2020)

international

country code - 39; uses Italian system

Heliports

1 (2024)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of Italy

Military and security forces

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 (2024)

note

note: the Swiss Guard Corps has protected the Pope and his residence since 1506

Military service age and obligation

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 (2024)

Illicit drugs

NA

Air pollutants

methane emissions

0 megatons (2020 est.)

Climate

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

Environment - current issues

some air pollution from the surrounding city of Rome

Environment - international agreements

party to

Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified

Air Pollution, Environmental Modification

Land use

agricultural land

0% (2018 est.)

other

100% (2018 est.)

Total renewable water resources

0 cubic meters (2017 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

100% of total population (2023)