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{{Infobox Country or territory
 
|native_name              = ''Status Civitatis Vaticanae''<br/>''Stato della Città del Vaticano''
 
|conventional_long_name  = State of the Vatican City
 
|common_name              = Vatican City
 
|image_flag              = Flag of the Vatican City.svg
 
|image_coat              = Emblem of the Papacy SE.svg
 
|symbol_type              = Coat of arms
 
|image_map                = Europe location VAT.png
 
|map_caption              = {{map_caption |location=circled in inset |region=on the [[Europe|European continent]]}}
 
|national_motto          =
 
|national_anthem          = ''[[Inno e Marcia Pontificale]]''{{spaces|2}}<small>([[Italian language|Italian]])<br/>Hymn and Pontifical March</small>
 
|official_languages      = [[Latin]]<sup>2</sup>, [[Italian language|Italian]]
 
|capital                  = Vatican City<sup>1</sup>
 
|latd=41 |latm=54 |latNS=N |longd=12 |longm=27 |longEW=E
 
|largest_city            = capital
 
|government_type          = [[Absolute monarchy|Absolute]]<br/>[[Elective monarchy|elective]]<sup>3</sup> monarchy
 
|leader_title1            = [[Pope|Sovereign]]
 
|leader_name1            = [[Pope Benedict XVI]]
 
|leader_title2            = [[Cardinal Secretary of State|Secretary of State]]
 
|leader_name2            = [[Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone]]
 
|leader_title3            = [[Governor of Vatican City|Governor]]
 
|leader_name3            = [[Archbishop]] [[Giovanni Lajolo]]
 
|area_rank                = 232nd
 
|area_magnitude          = 1 E5
 
|area                    = 0.44
 
|areami²                  = 0.17
 
|percent_water            =
 
|population_estimate      = 783
 
|population_estimate_rank = 229th
 
|population_estimate_year = 2005
 
|population_census        =
 
|population_census_year  =
 
|population_density      = 1,780
 
|population_densitymi²    = 4,610
 
|population_density_rank  = 6th
 
|GDP_PPP                  =
 
|GDP_PPP_rank            =
 
|GDP_PPP_year            =
 
|GDP_PPP_per_capita      =
 
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank  =
 
|sovereignty_type        = [[Independence]]
 
|sovereignty_note        = from the [[Kingdom of Italy]]
 
|established_event1      = [[Lateran treaty|Lateran Treaty]]
 
|established_date1        = 11 February 1929
 
|currency                = [[Euro]] (€)<sup>4</sup>
 
|currency_code            = EUR
 
|country_code            =
 
|time_zone                = [[Central European Time|CET]]
 
|utc_offset              = +1
 
|time_zone_DST            = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
 
|utc_offset_DST          = +2
 
|cctld                    = [[.va]]
 
|calling_code            = 39<sup>5</sup>
 
|ISO_3166-1_alpha2        =
 
|ISO_3166-1_alpha3        =
 
|ISO_3166-1_numeric      =
 
|sport_code              =
 
|vehicle_code            =
 
|footnotes                = <sup>1</sup> Vatican City is a [[city-state]].<br/><sup>2</sup> Used for official purposes. ''De facto'' languages are [[Italian language|Italian]], [[German language|German]], [[English language|English]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]], [[French language|French]], and [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], with Italian the most commonly used. The language of the [[Swiss Guards#Papal Swiss Guard|Papal Swiss Guard]] is German.<br/><sup>3</sup> [[Suffrage]] limited to the [[College of Cardinals]] (see [[#Government|Government]] section below).<br/><sup>4</sup> Prior to 2002, the [[Vatican lira]] (on par with the Italian lira).<br/><sup>5</sup> [[ITU-T]] assigns code 379 to Vatican City. However, Vatican City is included in the Italian telephone numbering plan and uses the Italian country code 39.
 
}}
 
  
'''Vatican City''', officially '''State of the Vatican City''' ([[Latin]]: ''Status Civitatis Vaticanae''; {{lang-it|Stato della Città del Vaticano}}), is a [[landlocked]] [[sovereignty|sovereign]] [[city-state]] whose territory consists of a walled [[enclave]] within the city of [[Rome]]. At approximately 44 [[hectare]]s (108.7 [[acres]]), it is the smallest independent nation in the world.<ref name="factbook">{{cite web |url=https://cia.gov/cia//publications/factbook/geos/vt.html|title=Holy See (Vatican City)|accessdate=2007-02-22|work=CIA — The World Factbook}}</ref>
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[[Image:StPetersBasilicaEarlyMorning.jpg|thumb|300px|St. Peter's Square in the early morning.]]  
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[[Image:Rome Vatican Museums.jpg|thumb|270px|Vatican Museums.]]
  
It was created in 1929 by the [[Lateran Treaty]] as a vestige of the much larger [[Papal States]] (756 to 1870). Vatican City is a non-hereditary, elected [[monarch]]y that is ruled by the [[Bishop of Rome]] &mdash; the [[Pope]]. The highest state functionaries are all clergymen of the [[Catholic Church]]. It is the sovereign territory of the [[Holy See]] ([[Latin]]:''Sancta Sedes'') and the location of the [[Apostolic Palace]] &mdash; the Pope's official residence &mdash; and the [[Roman Curia]]. Thus, while the principal ecclesiastical seat (Cathedral) of the Pope as Bishop of Rome (the [[Basilica of St. John Lateran]]) is located outside of its walls, in Rome, Vatican City can be said to be the governmental capital of the Catholic Church.
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'''Vatican City''', officially '''State of the Vatican City''' ([[Latin]]: ''Status Civitatis Vaticanae''), is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of [[Rome]]. At approximately 108.7 acres, it is the smallest independent nation in the world.
  
== Territory ==
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It was created in 1929 by the [[Lateran Treaty]] as a vestige of the much larger [[Papal States]] (756 to 1870 C.E.). Vatican City is a non-hereditary, elected [[monarch]]y that is ruled by the Bishop of Rome—the [[Pope]]. The highest state functionaries are all clergymen of the [[Catholic Church]]. It is the sovereign territory of the [[Holy See]] and the location of the Apostolic Palace—the Pope's official residence—and the Roman Curia. Thus, while the principal ecclesiastical seat of the Pope as Bishop of Rome (the [[Basilica of St. John Lateran]]) is located outside of its walls, Vatican City is the governmental capital of the Catholic Church.
The name "Vatican" is ancient and predates [[Christianity]], coming from the Latin ''Mons Vaticanus'', [[Vatican Hill]]. The territory of Vatican City is part of the ''Mons Vaticanus'', and of the adjacent former Vatican Fields where [[St. Peter's Basilica]], the [[Apostolic Palace]], the [[Sistine Chapel]], and museums were built, along with various other buildings. The area was part of the Roman [[rione]] of [[borgo (rione of Rome)|Borgo]] until 1929. Being separated from the city, on the west bank of the [[Tiber]] river, the area was an outcrop of the city that was protected by being included within the walls of [[Pope Leo IV|Leo IV]], and later expanded by the current fortification walls of [[Pope Paul III|Paul III]]/[[Pius IV]]/[[Urban VIII]]. When the [[Lateran Treaty]] of 1929 that gave the state its present form was being prepared, the boundaries of the proposed territory was influenced by the fact that much of it was all but enclosed by this loop. For some tracts of the frontier, there was no wall, but the line of certain buildings supplied part of the boundary, and for a small part of the frontier a modern wall was constructed. The territory included [[St. Peter's Square]], which was not possible to isolate from the rest of Rome, and therefore a largely imaginary border with Italy runs along the outer limit of the square where it touches on Piazza Pio XII and Via Paolo VI. St. Peter's Square is reached through the [[Via della Conciliazione]] which runs from the Tiber River to St. Peter's. This grand approach was constructed by Mussolini after the conclusion of the Lateran Treaty.
 
  
According to the Lateran Treaty, certain [[properties of the Holy See]] that are located in Italian territory, most notably [[Castel Gandolfo]] and the Patriarchal Basilicas, enjoy extraterritorial status similar to that of foreign [[embassy|embassies]].<ref name="treaty"/><ref name="treaty text"/>. These properties, scattered all over Rome and Italy, house essential offices and institutions necessary to the character and mission of the Holy See.<ref name="treaty text">Excerpt of extra-territorial jurisdiction as per the Lateran Treaty of 1929:
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Vatican City is also home to cultural treasures such as [[St. Peter's Basilica]], the [[Sistine Chapel]] and the Vatican museums, featuring some of the world's most famous paintings and sculptures. It is thus one of the world's most popular [[tourism|tourist]] attractions and the site of many public appearances by the Roman Pontiff.
  
Article 13
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==Territory==
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===Naming===
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The name "Vatican" is ancient and predates [[Christianity]], coming from the Latin ''Mons Vaticanus'', [[Vatican Hill]]. The territory of Vatican City includes part Vatican Hill and adjacent former fields where [[St. Peter's Basilica]], the [[Apostolic Palace]], the [[Sistine Chapel]], and Vatican museums now stand, along with various other buildings. The area was part of the Roman ward of Borgo until 1929. Separated from the main city on the west bank of the [[Tiber]] river, the area was an outcrop of the city protected by its inclusion within the walls built by [[Pope Leo IV|Leo IV]] (ninth century), and later expanded by the current fortified walls of [[Pope Paul III|Paul III]], [[Pius IV]], and [[Urban VIII]] in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
  
:Italy recognizes the full ownership of the Holy See over the patriarchal Basilicas of St. John Lateran, Sta. Maria Maggiore, and St. Paul, with their annexed buildings.
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===Lateran Treaty===
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When the [[Lateran Treaty]] of 1929 that gave the state its present form was being prepared, the boundaries of the proposed territory was influenced by the fact that much of it was all but enclosed by this loop. For some tracts of the frontier, there was no wall, [[Image:Vt-map.png|thumb|200px|left|Territory of Vatican City according to the Lateran treaty]] but the line of certain buildings supplied part of the boundary, and for a small part of the frontier a modern wall was constructed.
  
:The State transfers to the Holy See the free management and administration of the said Basilica of St. Paul and its dependent Monastery, also paying over to the Holy See all monies representing the sums set aside annually for that church in the budget of the Ministry of Education.
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The territory included [[St. Peter's Square]], which was not possible to isolate from the rest of Rome, and therefore a largely imaginary border with Italy runs along the outer limit of the square where it touches on Piazza Pio XII and Via Paolo VI. St. Peter's Square is reached through the [[Via della Conciliazione]] which runs from the Tiber River to St. Peter's. This grand approach was constructed by [[Mussolini]] after the conclusion of the Lateran Treaty.
  
:It is also understood that the Holy See shall remain the absolute owner of the edifice of S. Callisto, adjoining Sta. Maria in Trastevere.
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According to the Lateran Treaty, certain [[properties of the Holy See]] that are located in Italian territory, most notably [[Castel Gandolfo]] and the Patriarchal Basilicas, enjoy extraterritorial status similar to that of foreign [[embassy|embassies]]. These properties, scattered all over [[Rome]] and [[Italy]], house essential offices and institutions necessary to the character and mission of the Holy See.
  
Article 14
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===Head of State===
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[[Image:Pope Benedictus XVI january,20 2006 (2) mod.jpg|thumb|Pope Benedict XVI.]]
  
:Italy recognizes the full ownership by the Holy See of the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo, together with all endowments, appurtenances, and dependencies thereof, which are now already in the possession of the Holy See, and Italy also undertakes to hand over, within six months after the coming into force of the present Treaty, the Villa Barberini in Castel Gandolfo, together with all endowments, appurtenances, and dependencies thereof.
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The [[Pope]] is ''ex officio'' head of state of the government of Vatican City. He is simultaneously the [[bishop]] of the Diocese of Rome and Supreme Pontiff of the [[Catholic Church]]. The term [[Holy See]] expresses the totality of his governance and pastoral ministry. His official title with regard to Vatican City is ''Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City''.  
  
:In order to round off the property situated on the northern side of the Janiculum Hill, belonging to the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide and to other ecclesiastical institutions, which property faces the Vatican Palaces, the State undertakes to transfer to the Holy See or other bodies appointed by it for such purpose, all real estate belonging to the State or to third parties existing in that area. The properties belonging to the said Congregation and to other institutions and those to be transferred being marked on the annexed map.
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The pope is a non-hereditary, elected [[monarch]] who exercises absolute authority—supreme legislative, executive and judicial power over the Vatican City. He is the only absolute monarch in Europe. The pope is elected for a life term in [[conclave]] by cardinals under the age of 80. His principal subordinate government officials for Vatican City are the Secretary of State, the President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, and the Governor of Vatican City.  
  
:Finally, Italy shall transfer to the Holy See, as its full and absolute property, the Convent buildings in Rome attached to the Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles and to the churches of San Andrea della Valle and S. Carlo ai Catinari, with all annexes and dependencies thereof, and shall hand them over within one year after the entry into force of the present Treaty, free of all occupants.
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The current Pope, as of 2007, is [[Pope Benedict XVI|Benedict XVI]], born Joseph Ratzinger in [[Germany]]. [[Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone]] of [[Italy]] is the Secretary of State. Italian Archbishop [[Giovanni Lajolo]] serves as both the President of the Pontifical Commission and Governor. Both Bertone and Lajolo were appointed by Pope Benedict in September 2006.
  
Article 15
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==History==
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===Ancient origins===
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Even before the arrival of [[Christianity]], it is supposed that this originally uninhabited part of [[Rome]] (the ''ager vaticanus'') had long been considered sacred, or at least not available for habitation. The area was also the site of worship to the Phrygian goddess [[Cybele]] and her consort [[Attis]] during Roman times.<ref>[http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/x-Schede/MGEs/MGEs_Sala16_03_040.html Altar of Cybele in Vatican Museum]. mv.vatican.va. Retrieved June 10, 2007.</ref> [[Agrippina the Elder]] (14 B.C.E.-33 C.E.) drained the hill and environs and built her gardens there in the early first century C.E. Emperor [[Caligula]] (37-41 C.E.) started construction of a ''circus'', (circle) that was later completed by Nero, the ''Circus Gaii et Neronis''.
  
:The property indicated in Article 13 hereof and in paragraphs (1) and (2) of Article 14, as well as the Palaces of the Dataria, of the Cancelleria, of the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide in the Piazza di Spagna of the S. Offizio with its annexes, and those of the Convertendi (now the Congregation of the Eastern Church) in Piazza Scossacavelli, the Vicariato, and all other edifices in which the Holy See shall subsequently desire to establish other offices and departments although such edifices form part of the territory belonging to the Italian State, shall enjoy the immunity granted by International Law to the headquarters of the diplomatic agents of foreign States. Similar immunity shall also apply with regard to any other churches (even if situated outside Rome) during such time as, without such churches being open to the public, the Supreme Pontiff shall take part in religious ceremonies celebrated therein.
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[[Image:Vatican Piazza San Pietro Obelisk.jpg|thumb|200px|The Vatican obelisk was originally taken from Egypt by Caligula.]]
  
Article 16
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The Vatican obelisk was originally taken by Caligula from [[Heliopolis]] to decorate the spina of his circus and is thus its last visible remnant. This area became the site of martyrdom of many Christians after the [[great fire of Rome]] in 64. Ancient tradition holds that it was in this circus that [[Saint Peter]] was crucified upside down. Opposite the circus was a cemetery separated by the ''Via Cornelia.'' Funeral monuments, mausoleums, and small tombs as well as altars to pagan gods, were constructed lasting until just prior to the erection of the Constantinian Basilica of St. Peter's in the first half of the fourth century. Remains of this ancient necropolis were brought to light sporadically during renovations by various popes throughout the centuries increasing in frequency during the [[Renaissance]] until it was systematically excavated by orders of [[Pope Pius XII]] from 1939 to 1941.
  
:The property mentioned in the three preceding Articles, as also that used as headquarters of the following Papal institutions - the Gregorian University, the Biblical, Oriental, and Archaeological Institutes, the Russian Seminary, the Lombard College, the two Palaces of St. Apollinaris, and the Home of the Retreat of the Clergy dedicated to St. John and St. Paul - shall never be subject to charges or to expropriation for reasons of public utility, save by previous agreement with the Holy See, and shall be exempt from any contribution or tax, whether ordinary or extraordinary and payable to the State or to any other body.
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===Earliest church===
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In 326 C.E., the first church, the Constantinian Basilica, was built over the site that is believed to be the tomb of Saint Peter, buried in a common cemetery on the spot. From then on the area started to become more populated, but mostly by common dwelling houses. A palace was constructed near the site of the basilica as early as the fifth century during the pontificate of [[Pope Symmachus]] (reigned 498-514).
  
:It shall be permissible for the Holy See to deal with all buildings above mentioned or referred to in the three preceding Articles as it may deem fit, without obtaining the authorization or consent of the Italian governmental, provincial, or communal authority, which authorities may in this regard rely entirely on the high artistic traditions of the Catholic Church.
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Popes in their secular role gradually came to govern neighboring regions and, through the [[Papal States]], ruled a large portion of the [[Italy|Italian peninsula]] for more than a thousand years until the mid-nineteenth century, when most of the territory of the Papal States was seized by the newly created [[Kingdom of Italy]]. For much of this time the Vatican was not the habitual residence of the Popes, who lived at the [[Lateran Palace]] and, in recent centuries, the [[Quirinal Palace]]. The papal residence from 1309-1377 was at [[Avignon]] in [[France]].
</ref> Castel Gandolfo and the named basilicas are patrolled internally by police agents of the Vatican City State and not by Italian police. St. Peter's Square is ordinarily policed jointly by both.<ref name="treaty">[http://www.aloha.net/~mikesch/treaty.htm Lateran Treaty]</ref>
 
  
== Head of State ==
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===Papal holdings unresolved===
[[Image:Vatican City.jpg|thumb|left|300px|St. Peter's Square, and the obelisk from the [[Circus of Nero]]]]
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In 1870, the [[Pope]]'s holdings were left in an uncertain situation when [[Rome]] itself was annexed by the [[Piedmont]]-led forces which had united the rest of Italy. Between 1861 and 1929 the status of the Pope was referred to as the "Roman Question." The popes were undisturbed in their Vatican palace, and given certain recognition by the Law of Guarantees, including the right to send and receive ambassadors. But they did not recognize the [[Italy|Italian]] king's right to rule in Rome, and they refused to leave the Vatican compound until the dispute was resolved in 1929. Other states continued to maintain international recognition of the [[Holy See]] as a sovereign entity.  
The [[Pope]] is ''ex officio'' [[head of state]] and [[head of government]] of Vatican City. He is simultaneously and primordially the bishop of the Diocese of Rome, and Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church. The term [[Holy See]] expresses the totality of his governance and pastoral ministry.  His official title with regard to Vatican City is ''Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City''.  
 
  
The pope is a non-hereditary, elected [[monarch]] who exercises [[Absolute monarchy|absolute authority]], that is to say supreme [[legislative]], [[executive (government)|executive]] and [[judicial]] power over the Vatican City. He is the only absolute monarch in Europe.
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[[Image:St peters vat distance.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Mussolini demolished  medieval housing to create the ''Via della Conciliazione'', leading to [[St. Peter's Square]].]]  
  
The pope is [[election|elected]] for a life term in [[conclave]] by [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|cardinals]] under the age of 80. His principal subordinate government officials for Vatican City are the [[Cardinal Secretary of State|Secretary of State]], the [[President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State]], and the [[Governor of Vatican City]].  
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In practice, Italy made no attempt to interfere with the Holy See within the Vatican walls. However, they confiscated church property in many other places, including, perhaps most notably, the [[Quirinal Palace]], formerly the pope's official residence. [[Pope Pius IX]] (1846-1878), the last ruler of the Papal States, claimed that after Rome was annexed he was a "Prisoner in the Vatican."
  
The [[as of 2006|current]] Pope is [[Pope Benedict XVI|Benedict XVI]], born Joseph Ratzinger in [[Germany]]. [[Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone]] of [[Italy]] is the [[Cardinal Secretary of State|Secretary of State]]. Italian Archbishop [[Giovanni Lajolo]] serves as both the President of the Pontifical Commission and Governor. Both Bertone and Lajolo were appointed by Pope Benedict in September 2006.
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===Lateran Treaty===
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This situation was finally resolved on February 11, 1929 in an agreement between the Holy See and the Kingdom of [[Italy]]. The treaty was signed by [[Benito Mussolini]] and Pietro Cardinal Gasparri in behalf of King [[Victor Emmanuel III ]] and [[Pope Pius XI]] (1922-1939), respectively. The [[Lateran Treaty]] and the Concordat established the independent State of the Vatican City and granted [[Roman Catholicism|Catholicism]] special status in Italy. In 1984, a new [[concordat]] between the Holy See and Italy modified certain provisions of the earlier treaty, including the position of [[Catholicism]] as the Italian state religion.
  
== History ==
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== Government ==
{{Infobox World Heritage Site
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=== Political system ===
|WHS        = Vatican City
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For historical reasons, the government of Vatican City has a unique structure. As noted, the principal figures are the Secretary of State, the President of the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State, and the Governor of Vatican City. These, like all other officials, are appointed by the Pope and can be dismissed by him at any time.
|Image      = [[Image:St._Peter's_Square_from_top_of_dome.jpg|300px|View of St. Peter's Square from the top of Michaelangelo's dome.]]
 
|State Party = [[Image:Flag of the Vatican City.svg|22px]] [[Holy See]]
 
|Type        = Cultural
 
|Criteria    = i, ii, iv, vi
 
|ID          = 286
 
|Region      = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Europe|Europe and North America]]
 
|Year        = 1984
 
|Session    = 8th
 
|Link        = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/286
 
}}
 
{{main | History of the Vatican City}}
 
[[Image:VaticanCity_Annex.jpg|thumb|220px|left|Territory of Vatican City according to the [[Lateran treaty]].]]
 
 
 
Even before the arrival of [[Christianity]], it is supposed that this originally uninhabited part of [[Rome]] (the ''ager vaticanus'') had long been considered sacred, or at least not available for habitation. The area was also the site of worship to the Phrygian goddess [[Cybele]] and her consort [[Attis]] during Roman times.<ref>[http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/x-Schede/MGEs/MGEs_Sala16_03_040.html Altar of Cybele], Vatican Museum retrieved 31 June 2006</ref> [[Agrippina the Elder]] (14 B.C.E. – 18 October AD 33) drained the hill and environs and built her gardens there in the early 1st century AD. Emperor [[Caligula]] (37-41) started construction of a circus (40) that was later completed by Nero, the ''Circus Gaii et Neronis''.<ref>Lanciani, Rodolfo (1892). [http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/Europe/Italy/Lazio/Roma/Rome/_Texts/Lanciani/LANPAC/3*.html#sec16 Pagan and Christian Rome] Houghton, Mifflin.</ref> The Vatican obelisk was originally taken by Caligula from [[Heliopolis]] to decorate the spina of his circus and is thus its last visible remnant. This area became the site of martyrdom of many Christians after the [[great fire of Rome]] in 64. Ancient tradition holds that it was in this circus that [[Saint Peter]] was crucified upside down. Opposite the circus was a cemetery separated by the [[Via Cornelia]]. Funeral monuments and mausoleums and small tombs as well as altars to pagan gods of all kinds of polytheistic religions were constructed lasting until before the construction of the Constantinian Basilica of St. Peter's in the first half of the [[4th century]]. Remains of this ancient [[necropolis]] were brought to light sporadically during renovations by various popes throughout the centuries increasing in frequency during the [[Renaissance]] until it was systematically excavated by orders of [[Pope Pius XII]] from 1939 to 1941.
 
 
 
In 326, the first church, the Constantinian basilica, was built over the site that Catholic apologists as well as noted [[Italy|Italian]] archaeologists argue was the tomb of Saint Peter, buried in a common cemetery on the spot. From then on the area started to become more populated, but mostly only by dwelling houses connected with the activity of St. Peter's. A palace was constructed near the site of the basilica as early as the 5th century during the pontificate of [[Pope Symmachus]] (b. ?? – d. Jul. 19, 514; pope 498-514).<ref> [http://www.bartleby.com/65/va/Vatican.html| Columbia Encyclopedia], Sixth Edition, 2001-2005</ref>
 
 
 
Popes in their secular role gradually came to govern neighbouring regions and, through the [[Papal States]], ruled a large portion of the [[Italy|Italian peninsula]] for more than a thousand years until the mid [[19th century]], when most of the territory of the Papal States was seized by the [[Italian unification|newly created]] Kingdom of Italy. For much of this time the Vatican was not the habitual residence of the Popes, but rather the [[Lateran Palace]], and in recent centuries, the [[Quirinal Palace]], while the residence from 1309-1377 was at [[Avignon]] in [[France]].
 
  
In 1870, the Pope's holdings were left in an uncertain situation when [[Rome]] itself was annexed by the [[Piedmont]]-led forces which had united the rest of Italy. After a nominal resistance by the papal forces.  Between 1861 and 1929 the status of the pope was referred to as the "[[Roman Question]]." They were undisturbed in their palace, and given certain recognitions by the [[Law of Guarantees]], including the right to send and receive ambassadors.  But they did not recognize the Italian king's right to rule in Rome, and they [[prisoner in the Vatican|refused to leave the Vatican compound]] until the dispute was resolved in 1929.  Other states continued to maintain international recognition of the Holy See as a sovereign entity. In practice Italy made no attempt to interfere with the Holy See within the Vatican walls.  However, they confiscated church property in many other places, including, perhaps most notably, the [[Quirinal Palace]], formerly the pope's official residence.  [[Pope Pius IX]] (1846-1878), the last ruler of the Papal States, claimed that after Rome was annexed he was a "Prisoner in the Vatican."  This situation was resolved on February 11, 1929 between the Holy See and the Kingdom of Italy.
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[[Image:Holysee-arms.png|thumb|Coat of arms of the Holy See.]]
  
[[Image:StPetersBasilicaEarlyMorning.jpg|thumb|left|300px|St. Peter's Square in the early morning.]] The treaty was signed by [[Benito Mussolini]] and Pietro Cardinal Gasparri in behalf of King [[Victor Emmanuel III ]] and [[Pope Pius XI]] (1922-1939), respectively.  The [[Lateran Treaty]] and the Concordat established the independent State of the Vatican City and granted [[Roman Catholicism|Catholicism]] special status in Italy.  In 1984, a new [[concordat]] between the Holy See and Italy modified certain provisions of the earlier treaty, including the position of Catholicism as the Italian state religion.
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During a papal vacancy, the Chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church, former Secretary of State, and former President of the Pontifical Commission form a commission that performs some of the functions of the head of state; while another made up of the Chamberlain and three cardinals (one being chosen by lot every three days from each order of cardinals), performs other functions of the head of state. All decisions of these commissions must be approved by the [[College of Cardinals]].
  
== Government ==
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The State of the Vatican City, as created by the [[Lateran Treaty]], enables the [[Holy See]] to exist with a temporal jurisdiction, territorial identity, recognition, and independence within a small territory as a true nation-state in the eyes of other nations after the loss of the Papal States in 1870. The Vatican City State is not synonymous with the Holy See. It is a significant but not essential constituent entity of it. The Holy See has existed continuously as a juridical entity since Roman Imperial times and had been recognized by other sovereigns, nations and foreign powers as a powerful and independent sovereign entity since late antiquity to the present, even during periods when it held no territory (e.g. 1870 to 1929).
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{{main|Politics of the Vatican City}}
 
=== Political system ===
 
For historical reasons, the government of Vatican City has a unique structure. As noted, the principal figures are the [[Cardinal Secretary of State|Secretary of State]], the President of the [[Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State]], and the [[Governor of Vatican City]]. These, like all other officials, are appointed by the Pope and can be dismissed by him at any time.
 
  
During a ''[[sede vacante]]'' (papal vacancy), the [[Camerlengo|Chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church]], former Secretary of State, and former President of the Pontifical Commission form a commission that performs some of the functions of the head of state; while another made up of the Chamberlain and three cardinals (one being chosen by lot every three days from each order of cardinals), performs other functions of the head of state. All decisions of these commissions must be approved by the [[College of Cardinals]].
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The Holy See has the oldest active continuous diplomatic representation or service in the world, dating back to at least 325 C.E. with its legation to the [[Council of Nicea]]. Indeed, other nations have their diplomatic relations with the Holy See, never the Vatican City State.
  
The State of the Vatican City, as created by the [[Lateran Treaty]], enables the [[Holy See]] (the Diocese of Rome) to exist with a temporal jurisdiction, territorial identity, recognition, and independence within a small territory as a true nation-state in the eyes of other nations after the loss of the Papal States in 1870. The Vatican City State is not the Holy See. The Vatican City can thus be deemed a significant but not essential constituent entity of the Holy See.  The Holy See has existed continuously as a juridical entity since Roman Imperial times and had been recognized by other sovereigns, nations and foreign powers as a powerful and independent sovereign (even [[suzerain]]) entity since late antiquity to the present, even during periods when it held no territory (e.g. 1870 to 1929). The Holy See has the oldest active continuous diplomatic representation or service in the world, dating back to at least AD 325 with its legation to the Council of Nicea.<ref>[http://www.catholic-pages.com/vatican/diplomacy.asp Vatican Diplomacy, Catholic-Pages.com], retrieved Mar. 15, 2007</ref> Indeed, other nations have their diplomatic relations with the Holy See, never the Vatican City State. Thus, as far as the nation-state of the Vatican is concerned, its Head of State, the Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City, is the pope. As far as it is concerned, the pope is its absolute monarch — who just happens to be a bishop.  
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===Church hierarchy===
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Prior to reforms made by [[Pope Paul VI]] (reigned 1963-1978), a large number of nobles existed within the government of the Vatican. A noble class still exists today and continues to form part of the papal court. The size of the papal court, however, had been reduced.
  
The hierarchy of the Catholic Church as governed by the [[Holy See]] is the proper ecclesiastical government. This is not necessarily the case for the Vatican City State. In fact, prior to the reforms made by [[Pope Paul VI]] (b. Sep. 26, 1897 – d. Aug. 6, 1978; pope Jun. 21, 1963 – Aug. 6, 1978), a large number of nobles existed within the government of the Vatican. A noble class still exists today that continues to form part of the papal court drawn from the ranks of Roman and European nobility (see [[Papal Gentlemen]], [[Master of the Horse#Papal Master of the Horse|Papal Master of the Horse]], [[Prefecture for the Pontifical Household]], [[Hereditary Officers of the Roman Curia]]). The size of the papal court, however, had been reduced to a great extent after the reforms made by Pope Paul VI (the Papal Court was reformed by the Bull Pontificalis Domus of 1969)<ref>[http://www.chivalricorders.org/vatican/pplcourt.htm Hereditary Officers of the Papal Court]</ref>. All cardinals, however, continue to have the royal rank of prince of the blood. Its royal character is a vestige of the temporal power of the popes who have ruled the [[Papal States]] for more than a thousand years and, prior to the Papal States, as the highest civil and religious authority of the Roman and Byzantine empires in Rome since late antiquity. Therefore, within this context, the State of the Vatican City is a true, although elected, monarchy in every sense of the word.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catholic-pages.com/vatican/vatican_city.asp|accessdate=2007-03-04|title=Vatican City|work=Catholic-Pages.com}}</ref>
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All cardinals, however, continue to have the royal rank of "prince of the blood." The rank's royal character is a vestige of the temporal power of the popes who ruled the [[Papal States]] for more than a thousand years and, prior to the Papal States, as the highest civil and religious authority of the [[Rome|Roman]] and [[Byzantine]] empires in Rome since late antiquity. Therefore, within this context, the State of the Vatican City is a true, although elected, [[monarchy]] in every sense of the word.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catholic-pages.com/vatican/vatican_city.asp|accessdate=March 4, 2007|title=Vatican City|work=Catholic-Pages.com}}</ref>
  
 
=== Administration ===
 
=== Administration ===
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The Governor of Vatican City, sometimes known as the President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City, has duties similar to those of a [[mayor]] or city executive, concentrating on material questions concerning the state's territory, including local security, but excluding external relations.  
The Governor of Vatican City, sometimes known as the President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City, has duties similar to those of a [[mayor]] or city executive, concentrating on material questions concerning the state's territory, including local security, but excluding external relations. The Vatican City maintains two modern security corps, the [[Swiss Guard]]s, a voluntary military force drawn from male Swiss citizens, and the ''Corpo della Vigilanza dello Stato della Città del Vaticano''.
 
 
 
Legislative power is vested in the [[Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State]], led by a president. Members are cardinals appointed by the pope for terms of five years.
 
  
The judicial functions are handled by three tribunals — the [[Apostolic Signatura]], the [[Sacra Rota Romana]], and the [[Apostolic Penitentiary]], which are also the judicial arm of the Holy See (see below). The legal system is based on canon, or ecclesiastical, law; if [[Canon law (Catholic Church)|Canon Law]] is not applicable, special laws of the territory apply, often modelled on Italian provisions.
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Legislative power is vested in the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, led by a president. Members are cardinals appointed by the pope for terms of five years.
[[Image:Vatican 2.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The Swiss Guard]]
 
  
{{seealso|Fundamental Law of the Vatican}}
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The judicial functions are handled by three tribunals—the Apostolic Signatura, the Sacra Rota Romana, and the Apostolic Penitentiary, which are also the judicial arm of the Holy See (see below). The legal system is based on canon, or ecclesiastical, law; if [[Canon law (Catholic Church)|Canon Law]] is not applicable, special laws of the territory apply, often modeled on Italian provisions.
  
 
=== Military ===
 
=== Military ===
The Vatican City State has the distinction of having the smallest and oldest regular army in the world, the [[Swiss Guard]]. It was founded by Pope Julius II on January 22, 1506, and originally made up of Swiss mercenaries from the Swiss Confederation. They currently number a little over 100 men and are also the personal bodyguards of the Pope. Recruitment is restricted to Catholic male Swiss citizens.
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[[Image:Vatican 2.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A member of the Swiss Guard at his post.]]
 
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The Vatican City State has the distinction of having the smallest and oldest regular army in the world, the [[Swiss Guard]]. It was founded by Pope Julius II on January 22, 1506, and originally made up of Swiss mercenaries from the Swiss Confederation. They currently number a little over 100 men and are also the personal bodyguards of the Pope. Recruitment is restricted to Catholic, male, [[Switzerland|Swiss]] citizens.
The [[Palatine Guard]] and the [[Noble Guard]] were disbanded during the reign of Pope Paul VI in 1970.
 
  
The [[Corpo della Gendarmeria]] acts as the internal police force. Its full name is ''Corpo della Gendarmeria dello Stato della Città del Vaticano'' although it is sometimes still referred to as  ''Vigilanza'', which is a shortening of an earlier name.
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The [[Palatine Guard]] and the [[Noble Guard]] were disbanded during the reign of Pope Paul VI in 1970, while the [[Corpo della Gendarmeria]] acts as the internal police force. Its full name is ''Corpo della Gendarmeria dello Stato della Città del Vaticano''.
  
The Vatican has no navy and no air force. External defense is handled by the surrounding state of Italy.
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External defense is handled by the surrounding state of Italy, since the Vatican has no navy and no air force.
  
 
=== Communications ===
 
=== Communications ===
Vatican City has its own post office, fire brigade, police service, commissary (supermarket), bank (the [[automatic teller machine]]s offer customers service in [[Latin language|Latin]], among other languages), railway station, electricity generating plant, and [[publishing house]]. The Vatican also controls its own Internet domain ([[.va]]).
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Vatican City has its own post office, fire brigade, police service, commissary (supermarket), bank, railway station, electric plant, and publishing house. The Vatican also controls its own Internet domain (.va).
 
 
[[Vatican Radio]], which was organized by [[Guglielmo Marconi]] himself, today offers short- medium- and long-wave and broadband service around the world.  The Vatican has also been given a radio [[ITU prefix]], HV, and this is sometimes used by [[amateur radio]] operators.  Transmission antennae are located in Italian territory. Television services are provided through another entity, the Vatican Television Center.<ref>http://www.vaticanradio.org/inglese/enindex.html</ref>
 
 
 
''[[L'Osservatore Romano]]'' is the semi-official newspaper, published daily in Italian, and weekly in English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and French (plus a monthly edition in Polish). It is published by a private corporation under the direction of Catholic laymen but carries official information. ''Acta Apostolicae Sedis'' is the official publication of the Holy See, carrying the official texts of Church documents, but is little read other than by scholars and Church professionals. Official documents are also available on the [http://www.vatican.va Vatican web site].
 
 
 
== Geography ==
 
[[Image:Vt-map.png|thumb|200px|Map of Vatican City]]
 
{{main | Geography of the Vatican City}}
 
  
The Vatican City, one of the [[European microstates]], is situated on the Vatican Hill in the west-central part of Rome, several hundred metres west of the [[Tiber]] river. Its borders (3.2&nbsp;km or 2&nbsp;miles in total, all within Italy) closely follow the [[city wall]] constructed to protect the Pope from outside attack. The situation is more complex at the famous [[Saint Peter's Square|St. Peter's Square]] in front of [[St. Peter's Basilica]], where the correct border is just outside the ellipse formed by [[Gian Lorenzo Bernini|Bernini]]'s colonnade, but where police jurisdiction has been entrusted to Italy. The Vatican City is the smallest sovereign state in the world at 0.44 square kilometres (108.7&nbsp;[[acre]]s).
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Vatican Radio, which was originally organized by [[Guglielmo Marconi]], today offers short- medium- and long-wave and broadband service around the world. The Vatican has also been given a radio ITU prefix, HV, and this is sometimes used by amateur radio operators. Transmission antennae are located in Italian territory. Television services are provided through another entity, the Vatican Television Center.
  
The Vatican [[climate]] is the same as Rome's; a temperate, Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters from September to mid-May and hot, dry summers from May to August. There are some local features, principally mists and dews, caused by the anomalous bulk of St Peter's Basilica, the elevation, the fountains and the size of the large paved square.
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''L'Osservatore Romano'' is the semi-official Vatican newspaper, published daily in Italian, and weekly in English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and French (plus a monthly edition in Polish). It is published by a private corporation under the direction of Catholic laymen but carries official information. ''Acta Apostolicae Sedis'' is the official publication of the Holy See, carrying the official texts of Church documents, but is little read other than by scholars and Church professionals. Official documents are also available on the Vatican website.<ref>[http://www.vatican.va Vatican web site], Vatican Web Site. Retrieved April 14, 2008.</ref>
  
 
== Economy ==
 
== Economy ==
[[Image:Va 1euro sede.gif|right|frame|Vatican [[Euro coins|€1 coin]], showing the coat of arms of [[Camerlengo]] of the Holy Roman Church. This coin circulated during the ''papal interregnum'' of 2005]]
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[[Image:Poste Vaticane.JPG|thumb|right|150px|The stamp vending machine of the Vatican Postal Service]]
{{main|Economy of the Vatican City}}
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The unique economy of Vatican City is supported financially by contributions (part of which is known as [[Peter's Pence]]) from [[Catholic]]s throughout the world, the sale of postage stamps and [[tourism|tourist]] mementos, fees for admission to museums, and the sale of publications.
 
 
The unique, non-commercial economy is supported financially by contributions (part of which is known as [[Peter's Pence]]) from Catholics throughout the world, the sale of postage stamps and tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, and the sale of publications.<ref name="economy factbook">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/vt.html#Econ|title=Holy See (Vatican City): Economy|work=CIA - The World Factbook|accessdate=2007-02-23}}</ref> The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to, or somewhat better than, those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome.<ref name="economy factbook"/>
 
  
The Vatican City [[Vatican euro coins|issues its own coins]]. It has used the [[euro]] as its currency since January 1, 1999, owing to a special agreement with the [[EU]] (council decision 1999/98/CE). Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 1, 2002—the Vatican does not issue euro banknotes. Issuance of euro-denominated coins are strictly limited by treaty, though somewhat more than usual is allowed in a year in which there is a change in the papacy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l25040.htm|title=Agreements on monetary relations (Monaco, San Marino, the Vatican and Andorra)|accessdate=2007-02-23|work=Activities of the European Union: Summaries of legislation}}</ref>  Because of their rarity, Vatican euro coins are highly sought by collectors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cathnews.com/news/604/100.php|title=Benedict Vatican euros set for release|accessdate=2007-02-23|work=Catholic News|date=2006-04-21}}</ref> Until the adoption of the Euro, Vatican coinage and stamps were denominated in their own Vatican lira currency, which was on par with the Italian [[lira]].
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The Vatican City issues its own coins. It has used the [[euro]] as its currency since January 1, 1999, owing to a special agreement with the [[EU]] (council decision 1999/98/CE). Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 1, 2002—the Vatican does not issue euro banknotes. Issuance of euro-denominated coins are strictly limited by treaty, though somewhat more than usual is allowed in a year in which there is a change in the papacy. Because of their rarity, Vatican euro coins are highly sought by collectors. Until the adoption of the Euro, Vatican coinage and stamps were denominated in their own Vatican lira currency, which was on par with the Italian [[lira]].
  
 
It also has its own bank, Istituto per le Opere di Religione (also known as the [[Vatican Bank]], and with the acronym IOR).
 
It also has its own bank, Istituto per le Opere di Religione (also known as the [[Vatican Bank]], and with the acronym IOR).
  
* Budget: Revenues (2003) 252 million [[United States dollar|USD]]; expenditures (2003) 264 million USD.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3819.htm|title=Holy See (10/06)|work=U.S. Department of State|accesdate=2007-03-04}}</ref>
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* Budget: Revenues (2003), $252 million; expenditures (2003) $264 million.
 
* Industries: printing and production of few mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide financial activities.
 
* Industries: printing and production of few mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide financial activities.
  
 
== Demographics ==
 
== Demographics ==
 
 
=== Population and languages ===
 
=== Population and languages ===
 
Almost all of Vatican City's 558 citizens either live inside the Vatican's walls or serve in the Vatican's diplomatic corps in embassies (called "nunciatures"; a papal ambassador is a "nuncio") around the world. The Vatican citizenry consists almost entirely of two groups: [[clergy]] working as officials of the Vatican as a state or of the Catholic Church; and the  Swiss Guard. Most of the 3,000 lay workers who comprise the majority of the Vatican work force reside outside the Vatican and are citizens of Italy, while a few are citizens of other nations. As a result, all of the City's actual citizens are [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]]. Catholicism is the state religion. All the places of worship inside Vatican City are Catholic.
 
Almost all of Vatican City's 558 citizens either live inside the Vatican's walls or serve in the Vatican's diplomatic corps in embassies (called "nunciatures"; a papal ambassador is a "nuncio") around the world. The Vatican citizenry consists almost entirely of two groups: [[clergy]] working as officials of the Vatican as a state or of the Catholic Church; and the  Swiss Guard. Most of the 3,000 lay workers who comprise the majority of the Vatican work force reside outside the Vatican and are citizens of Italy, while a few are citizens of other nations. As a result, all of the City's actual citizens are [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]]. Catholicism is the state religion. All the places of worship inside Vatican City are Catholic.
  
The Vatican has no set official language, it can be changed at any moment by the current Pope.<ref>{{cite news||author=Willey, David|title=Latin makes Vatican City comeback|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4475099.stm|publisher=BBC News|work=Europe|date=2005-04-22|accessdate=2007-03-04}}</ref> The language most often used for the authoritative version of official documents of the Catholic Church or emanating from the Pope is [[Latin]]. However, [[Italian language|Italian]] and, to a lesser extent, other languages are generally used for most conversations, publications, and broadcasts and most documents or other communications dealing directly with the Vatican as a state are most easily available in Italian. [[German language|German]] is the official language of the Swiss Guard.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} The Vatican's official website languages are Italian, German, [[English language|English]], [[French language|French]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]], and [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]].
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The Vatican has no set official language, it can be changed at any moment by the current [[Pope]]. The language most often used for the authoritative version of official documents of the Catholic Church or emanating from the Pope is [[Latin]]. However, [[Italian language|Italian]] and, to a lesser extent, other languages are generally used for most conversations, publications, and broadcasts and most documents or other communications dealing directly with the Vatican as a state are most easily available in Italian. [[German language|German]] is the official language of the Swiss Guard. The Vatican's official website languages are Italian, German, [[English language|English]], [[French language|French]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]], and [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]].
  
 
=== Citizenship ===
 
=== Citizenship ===
Citizenship of the [[Vatican City]] is granted ''ius officii'', which means it is conferred upon some of those who have been appointed to work in certain capacities at the Vatican, and it is usually revoked upon the termination of their employment. During the period of employment citizenship may also be extended to a Vatican citizen's spouse (unless the [[marriage]] is annulled or dissolved, or if a conjugal separation is decreed) and children (until they turn 25 if they are capable of working, or in the case of daughters, if they marry).{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Terms of citizenship are defined in the [[Lateran Treaty]], and laws concerning the creation of the Vatican state in 1929 sought to restrict the number of people who could be granted Vatican citizenship. The only [[passports]] issued by the Vatican are diplomatic passports.<ref name="treaty"/>
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Citizenship of Vatican City is conferred upon some of those who have been appointed to work in certain capacities at the Vatican, and it is usually revoked upon the termination of their employment. During the period of employment citizenship may also be extended to a Vatican citizen's spouse. Terms of citizenship are defined in the [[Lateran Treaty]], and laws concerning the creation of the Vatican state in 1929 sought to restrict the number of people who could be granted Vatican citizenship. The only [[passports]] issued by the Vatican are diplomatic passports.
 
 
As of 31 December 2005 there were 558 people with Vatican citizenship, of whom 246 are dual-citizens of other countries (the majority being Italian). The Lateran Treaty provides that in the event a Vatican citizen has his or her original nationality revoked and also loses Vatican citizenship, he or she will be automatically granted Italian citizenship.<ref name="treaty"/>
 
  
Among the 558 were: <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/documentazione/documents/sp_ss_scv/informazione_generale/cittadini-vaticani_en.html|title=Vatican citizenship|accessdate=2006-12-03|publisher=Holy See Press Office}}</ref>
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As of December 31, 2005, of the 558 people with Vatican citizenship, 246 were dual-citizens of other countries (the majority being Italian). The Lateran Treaty provides that in the event a Vatican citizen has his or her original nationality revoked and also loses Vatican citizenship, he or she will be automatically granted Italian citizenship.
  
* The Pope;
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Vatican citizenship list (2005):
 +
* The [[Pope]];
 
* 58 cardinals;
 
* 58 cardinals;
 
* 293 members of the clergy who serve as diplomatic envoys abroad;
 
* 293 members of the clergy who serve as diplomatic envoys abroad;
Line 215: Line 123:
  
 
== Foreign relations ==
 
== Foreign relations ==
{{main | Holy See}}
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Providing a territorial identity for the Holy See, Vatican City State is a recognized national territory under international law. However, it is the Holy See that is the legal body that conducts diplomatic relations for the Vatican City in addition to the Holy See's usual [[diplomacy]], entering into international agreements and both receiving and sending diplomatic representatives. Because of the very limited territory of the Vatican state, foreign embassies to the Holy See are located in the Italian part of [[Rome]]; [[Italy]] actually hosts its own Embassy of Italy.
 
 
Providing a territorial identity for the Holy See, Vatican City State is a recognized national territory under international law. However, it is the Holy See that is the legal body that conducts diplomatic relations for the Vatican City in addition to the Holy See's usual [[diplomacy]], entering into international agreements and both receiving and sending diplomatic representatives. Because of the very limited territory of the Vatican state, foreign embassies to the Holy See are located in the Italian part of Rome; Italy actually hosts its own Embassy of Italy.
 
 
 
The Holy See is currently the only European political entity that has formal diplomatic relations with the [[Republic of China]] ([[Taiwan]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mofa.gov.tw/webapp/ct.asp?xItem=23341&ctNode=1077&mp=6|title=Taiwan Foreign Policy Report|accessdate=2007-02-23|work=Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Taiwan}}</ref>
 
  
Despite its minuscule size, as the veritable headquarters of the Catholic Church, the Vatican's influence on world affairs is disproportionately immense by virtue of its moral and spiritual authority<ref>[http://www.population-security.org/issue_s.htm Vatican influence on the United Nations, the World Health Organization and other international agencies.] retrieved Mar. 16, 2007</ref>.
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The Holy See is currently the only European political entity that has formal diplomatic relations with [[Taiwan]].
  
[[Image:Rome Vatican Museums.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Vatican Museum]]
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Despite its minuscule size, as the veritable headquarters of the [[Catholic Church]], the Vatican's influence on world affairs is disproportionately immense by virtue of its moral and spiritual authority.<ref>[http://www.population-security.org/issue_s.htm Vatican influence on the United Nations, the World Health Organization and other international agencies.] ''www.population-security.org''. Retrieved March 16, 2007.</ref>
  
 
== Culture ==
 
== Culture ==
{{main|Culture of the Vatican City}}
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[[Image:Chapelle sixtine plafond.jpg|thumb|250px|Detail of the Sistine Chapel ceiling.]]
The Vatican City is itself of great cultural significance. Buildings such as St. Peter's Basilica and the [[Sistine Chapel]] are home to some of the most famous art in the world, which includes works by artists such as [[Sandro Botticelli|Botticelli]], [[Gian Lorenzo Bernini|Bernini]] and [[Michelangelo]]. The [[Vatican Library]] and the collections of the [[Vatican Museums]] are of the highest historical, scientific and cultural importance. In 1984, the Vatican was added by [[UNESCO]] to the List of [[World Heritage Site]]s; it is the only one to consist of an entire country. Furthermore, it is the only site to date registered with the UNESCO as a ''centre containing monuments'' in the "International Register of Cultural Property under Special Protection" according to the 1954 [[Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict]].
 
 
 
== Crime ==
 
As a result of the Vatican having a small resident population, but millions of visitors every year, the state has the highest [[per capita]] [[crime rate]] of any nation on earth, more than twenty times higher than that of Italy.<ref name="crime rate"/> In his 2002 report to the pontifical court, Chief Prosecutor Nicola Picardi quoted statistics of 397 [[Civil law (common law)|civil offense]]s and 608 [[Criminal law|penal offense]]s. Each year, hundreds of tourists fall victim to pickpockets and purse snatchers. The perpetrators, Italian rather than Vatican citizens, are rarely caught, with 90% of crimes remaining unsolved.<ref name="crime rate">{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2639777.stm | title=Vatican crime rate 'soars'}}</ref>
 
 
 
The Vatican police force is the [[Corpo della Gendarmeria]].
 
 
 
As per the 1929 Lateran Treaty between the Holy See and [[Italy]], the Italian government handles the prosecution and detention of criminal suspects.
 
 
 
The most recent [[murder]]s to occur in the Vatican were in 1998, when a member of the [[Swiss Guard]] killed the Commander of the Guard and the Commander's wife before committing [[suicide]].<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/europe/9805/05/vatican.murder.on/index.html Security chief, wife, guard found dead in Vatican], May 5, 1998.</ref>
 
 
 
The Vatican abolished capital punishment in 1969, but its last execution was performed by its predecessor, the Papal States on the 9 July 1870 at Palestrina, when Agabito (or Agapito) Bellomo was decapitated (probably by guillotine) for murder.<ref>http://www.geocities.com/richard.clark32@btinternet.com/europe.html</ref>
 
 
 
== Transport and communications ==
 
{{main|Transport in the Vatican City}}
 
[[Image:St peters vat distance.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[Benito Mussolini|Mussolini]] demolished a spina of medieval housing to create an avenue, called ''Via della Conciliazione'', leading into [[St. Peter's Square]].]]
 
[[Image:Poste Vaticane.JPG|thumb|right|150px|The stamp vending machine of the Vatican Postal Service]]
 
The Vatican City has no airports. There is one [[heliport]] and an 852 metre (932 [[yard|yd]]) long [[standard gauge]] (1435 mm or 4 ft 8½ in) railway that connects to Italy's network at Rome's Saint Peter's station. The station building by architect Giuseppe Momo was constructed during the reign of Pius XI after the conclusion of the Lateran Treaty and opened in 1933 but now houses exhibits. The railway was originally planned to transport pilgrims, as was intended during the reign of Pius XI, but has only been rarely used to transport passengers. Pope John XXIII was the first to make use of the railway, and Pope John Paul II was known to have used it as well, albeit very rarely. The railway is mainly used only to transport freight. Rome's metro line A passes about 10 minutes walk north of the Vatican.<ref>[http://www.sinfin.net/railways/world/vatican/vaticanrail.html#Origini Vatican City State Railway] Railways of the World retrieved August 8, 2006</ref>
 
 
 
The City is served by an independent, modern telephone system<ref>[http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=20631 On call 24/7: Vatican phone system directs thousands of call each day], July 24, 2006.</ref> and post office. A bit of conventional wisdom in Rome is that international mail dropped in a mailbox in the Vatican will reach its destination more quickly than one dropped only a few hundred metres away in an Italian mailbox. To quote an article from the New York Times on June 27, 2004:
 
:''"As a result, more mail is sent each year, per inhabitant, from the Vatican's 00120 post code than from anywhere else in the world — 7,200, compared with about 660 in the United States or 109 in Italy — said Juliana Nel, a spokeswoman for the Universal Postal Union, a United Nations agency based in Berne, Switzerland.''
 
 
 
:''She called the Vatican's service "probably one of the best postal systems in the world."''<ref>{{cite news
 
  | last = Baker
 
  | first = Al
 
  | title = Hail Marys Not Needed: Vatican Mail Will Deliver.
 
  | work = Foreign Desk
 
  | pages = Late Edition - Final, Section 1, Page 8, Column 1, 1085 words
 
  | language = English
 
  | publisher = New York Times
 
  | date = June 27, 2004
 
  | url = http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA061EFF3C5C0C748EDDAF0894DC404482
 
  | accessdate = 2006-08-05 }}</ref>
 
People sending mail to the Vatican are advised not to write anything other than Vatican City State for the destination on the envelope. The reason for this is that this enables mail to be sent directly to the Vatican — otherwise, it would go through the postal systems of other countries, which would cause a delay in shipment to the Vatican. The Vatican has an official website, radio station, and satellite TV channels.
 
 
 
One lucrative source of income for the state is a two-pump petrol station where authorized Italians can buy fuel at prices up to 30% lower than in Italy, because the gas is not taxed. However, only people with special residence or work permits may use the station.<ref>Gabriel Kahn. [http://www.globalpolicy.org/nations/micro/2005/0407vatican.htm In Vatican City, a Cardinal Works to Balance Budget]. In ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'', 7 April, 2005. retrieved 23 June 2006.</ref>
 
  
== See also ==
+
The Vatican City is itself of great cultural significance. Buildings such as [[St. Peter's Basilica]] and the [[Sistine Chapel]] are home to some of the most famous art in the world, which includes works by artists such as [[Sandro Botticelli|Botticelli]], [[Gian Lorenzo Bernini|Bernini]], and [[Michelangelo]]. The [[Vatican Library]] and the collections of the [[Vatican Museums]] are of the highest historical, scientific, and cultural importance. In 1984, the Vatican was added by [[UNESCO]] to the List of [[World Heritage Site]]s; it is the only one to consist of an entire country. Furthermore, it is the only site to date registered with UNESCO as a ''centre containing monuments'' in the "International Register of Cultural Property under Special Protection" according to the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.
<div class="infobox sisterproject">
 
<div style="float: left;">[[Image:Wikipedia-logo.png|45px|none|Wikipedia]]</div>
 
<div style="margin-left: 60px;">'''''[[:la:|Latin edition]]''''' of [[Wikipedia]], the free encyclopedia</div>
 
</div>
 
{{Wiktionarylang|code=la}}
 
{{Wikibookspar||Latin}}
 
* [[Borgo (rione of Rome)]]
 
* [[Flag of the Vatican City]]
 
* [[Holy See]]
 
* [[Military of the Vatican City]]
 
* [[Music of the Vatican City]]
 
* [[Pope Benedict XVI]]
 
* [[Catholic Church]]
 
* [[Scouting in Vatican City]]
 
  
== References ==
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==Notes==
 
<div class="references-small">
 
<div class="references-small">
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 +
==References==
 +
*Fox, Martha Capwell. ''Modern Nations of the World—The Vatican City''. Lucent Books, 2005. ISBN 9781590187333
 +
*Lo Bello, Nino. ''The Incredible Book of Vatican Facts and Papal Curiosities''. Grammercy, 20002. ISBN 97805172220832
 +
*Marchant, Piers. ''How to Be Pope: What to Do and Where to Go Once You're in the Vatican''. Chronicle Books, 2005. ISBN 9780811852210
 +
*Roncalli, Francesco. ''Vatican City''. Treasures Inc., 1996. ISBN 9788886921077
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
{{sisterlinks | Vatican City}}
 
* [http://www.vatican.va/ The Holy See — The Vatican's Official Website]
 
** [http://www.vatican.va/vatican_city_state/ Vatican City official website]
 
** [http://www.vaticanradio.org/ Vatican Radio station]
 
** [http://www.vatican.va/news_services/television/index.htm Vatican TV]
 
* [https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/vt.html CIA — The World Factbook — Holy See (Vatican City)]
 
* [http://www.pellegrinocattolico.com/foto/vaticano/city_map.jpg Detailed map of Vatican City]
 
* [http://www.britannica.com/nations/Vatican-City Encyclopaedia Britannica's Vatican City page]
 
* [http://eudocs.lib.byu.edu/index.php/History_of_Vatican_City:_Primary_Documents History of Vatican City: Primary Documents]
 
* [http://www.aloha.net/~mikesch/treaty.htm Lateran Pacts of 1929]
 
** [http://www.religlaw.org/template.php?id=578 Agreement Between the Italian Republic and the Holy See], 18 Feb. 1984
 
* [http://www.arounder.eu/spa/spa.html Piazza San Pietro in Vaticano] Virtual Tour with map and compass effect by Tolomeus
 
* [http://www.geocities.com/mp_pollett/vaticinx.htm The Pope's Walls]
 
* [http://www.stpetersbasilica.org stpetersbasilica.org] Largest online source for St. Peter's in the Vatican
 
* [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/286 UNESCO site]
 
* [http://www.vaticanphilately.org Vatican Philatelic Society] Premier online source of information about Vatican City postage stamps
 
* [http://asv.vatican.va/home_en.htm Vatican Secret Archive]
 
* [http://nolli.uoregon.edu/wallsOfRome.html Walls of Rome]
 
* {{wikitravel}}
 
* [http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/vaticancity.html World Heritage Site]
 
{{Geolinks-cityscale|41.903|12.452}}
 
  
<br/>{{Countries of Europe}}
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*[http://www.vatican.va/ The Holy See—The Vatican's Official Website] ''www.vatican.va''. Retrieved June 19, 2007.
{{MSG:Latinunion}}
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*[http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/x-Schede/MGEs/MGEs_Sala16_03_040.html Altar of Cybele] ''mv.vatican.va''. Retrieved June 19, 2007.
{{Monarchies}}
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*[http://www.catholic-pages.com/vatican/vatican_city.asp Vatican City] ''www.catholic-pages.com''. Retrieved June 19, 2007.
{{Papal symbols and ceremonial}}
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*[http://www.population-security.org/issue_s.htm Vatican influence on the United Nations, the World Health Organization and other international agencies.] ''www.population-security.org''. Retrieved June 18, 2007.
  
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Revision as of 22:41, 14 April 2008


St. Peter's Square in the early morning.
Vatican Museums.

Vatican City, officially State of the Vatican City (Latin: Status Civitatis Vaticanae), is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome. At approximately 108.7 acres, it is the smallest independent nation in the world.

It was created in 1929 by the Lateran Treaty as a vestige of the much larger Papal States (756 to 1870 C.E.). Vatican City is a non-hereditary, elected monarchy that is ruled by the Bishop of Rome—the Pope. The highest state functionaries are all clergymen of the Catholic Church. It is the sovereign territory of the Holy See and the location of the Apostolic Palace—the Pope's official residence—and the Roman Curia. Thus, while the principal ecclesiastical seat of the Pope as Bishop of Rome (the Basilica of St. John Lateran) is located outside of its walls, Vatican City is the governmental capital of the Catholic Church.

Vatican City is also home to cultural treasures such as St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican museums, featuring some of the world's most famous paintings and sculptures. It is thus one of the world's most popular tourist attractions and the site of many public appearances by the Roman Pontiff.

Territory

Naming

The name "Vatican" is ancient and predates Christianity, coming from the Latin Mons Vaticanus, Vatican Hill. The territory of Vatican City includes part Vatican Hill and adjacent former fields where St. Peter's Basilica, the Apostolic Palace, the Sistine Chapel, and Vatican museums now stand, along with various other buildings. The area was part of the Roman ward of Borgo until 1929. Separated from the main city on the west bank of the Tiber river, the area was an outcrop of the city protected by its inclusion within the walls built by Leo IV (ninth century), and later expanded by the current fortified walls of Paul III, Pius IV, and Urban VIII in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Lateran Treaty

When the Lateran Treaty of 1929 that gave the state its present form was being prepared, the boundaries of the proposed territory was influenced by the fact that much of it was all but enclosed by this loop. For some tracts of the frontier, there was no wall,

Territory of Vatican City according to the Lateran treaty

but the line of certain buildings supplied part of the boundary, and for a small part of the frontier a modern wall was constructed.

The territory included St. Peter's Square, which was not possible to isolate from the rest of Rome, and therefore a largely imaginary border with Italy runs along the outer limit of the square where it touches on Piazza Pio XII and Via Paolo VI. St. Peter's Square is reached through the Via della Conciliazione which runs from the Tiber River to St. Peter's. This grand approach was constructed by Mussolini after the conclusion of the Lateran Treaty.

According to the Lateran Treaty, certain properties of the Holy See that are located in Italian territory, most notably Castel Gandolfo and the Patriarchal Basilicas, enjoy extraterritorial status similar to that of foreign embassies. These properties, scattered all over Rome and Italy, house essential offices and institutions necessary to the character and mission of the Holy See.

Head of State

The Pope is ex officio head of state of the government of Vatican City. He is simultaneously the bishop of the Diocese of Rome and Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church. The term Holy See expresses the totality of his governance and pastoral ministry. His official title with regard to Vatican City is Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City.

The pope is a non-hereditary, elected monarch who exercises absolute authority—supreme legislative, executive and judicial power over the Vatican City. He is the only absolute monarch in Europe. The pope is elected for a life term in conclave by cardinals under the age of 80. His principal subordinate government officials for Vatican City are the Secretary of State, the President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, and the Governor of Vatican City.

The current Pope, as of 2007, is Benedict XVI, born Joseph Ratzinger in Germany. Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone of Italy is the Secretary of State. Italian Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo serves as both the President of the Pontifical Commission and Governor. Both Bertone and Lajolo were appointed by Pope Benedict in September 2006.

History

Ancient origins

Even before the arrival of Christianity, it is supposed that this originally uninhabited part of Rome (the ager vaticanus) had long been considered sacred, or at least not available for habitation. The area was also the site of worship to the Phrygian goddess Cybele and her consort Attis during Roman times.[1] Agrippina the Elder (14 B.C.E.-33 C.E.) drained the hill and environs and built her gardens there in the early first century C.E. Emperor Caligula (37-41 C.E.) started construction of a circus, (circle) that was later completed by Nero, the Circus Gaii et Neronis.

The Vatican obelisk was originally taken from Egypt by Caligula.

The Vatican obelisk was originally taken by Caligula from Heliopolis to decorate the spina of his circus and is thus its last visible remnant. This area became the site of martyrdom of many Christians after the great fire of Rome in 64. Ancient tradition holds that it was in this circus that Saint Peter was crucified upside down. Opposite the circus was a cemetery separated by the Via Cornelia. Funeral monuments, mausoleums, and small tombs as well as altars to pagan gods, were constructed lasting until just prior to the erection of the Constantinian Basilica of St. Peter's in the first half of the fourth century. Remains of this ancient necropolis were brought to light sporadically during renovations by various popes throughout the centuries increasing in frequency during the Renaissance until it was systematically excavated by orders of Pope Pius XII from 1939 to 1941.

Earliest church

In 326 C.E., the first church, the Constantinian Basilica, was built over the site that is believed to be the tomb of Saint Peter, buried in a common cemetery on the spot. From then on the area started to become more populated, but mostly by common dwelling houses. A palace was constructed near the site of the basilica as early as the fifth century during the pontificate of Pope Symmachus (reigned 498-514).

Popes in their secular role gradually came to govern neighboring regions and, through the Papal States, ruled a large portion of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid-nineteenth century, when most of the territory of the Papal States was seized by the newly created Kingdom of Italy. For much of this time the Vatican was not the habitual residence of the Popes, who lived at the Lateran Palace and, in recent centuries, the Quirinal Palace. The papal residence from 1309-1377 was at Avignon in France.

Papal holdings unresolved

In 1870, the Pope's holdings were left in an uncertain situation when Rome itself was annexed by the Piedmont-led forces which had united the rest of Italy. Between 1861 and 1929 the status of the Pope was referred to as the "Roman Question." The popes were undisturbed in their Vatican palace, and given certain recognition by the Law of Guarantees, including the right to send and receive ambassadors. But they did not recognize the Italian king's right to rule in Rome, and they refused to leave the Vatican compound until the dispute was resolved in 1929. Other states continued to maintain international recognition of the Holy See as a sovereign entity.

Mussolini demolished medieval housing to create the Via della Conciliazione, leading to St. Peter's Square.

In practice, Italy made no attempt to interfere with the Holy See within the Vatican walls. However, they confiscated church property in many other places, including, perhaps most notably, the Quirinal Palace, formerly the pope's official residence. Pope Pius IX (1846-1878), the last ruler of the Papal States, claimed that after Rome was annexed he was a "Prisoner in the Vatican."

Lateran Treaty

This situation was finally resolved on February 11, 1929 in an agreement between the Holy See and the Kingdom of Italy. The treaty was signed by Benito Mussolini and Pietro Cardinal Gasparri in behalf of King Victor Emmanuel III and Pope Pius XI (1922-1939), respectively. The Lateran Treaty and the Concordat established the independent State of the Vatican City and granted Catholicism special status in Italy. In 1984, a new concordat between the Holy See and Italy modified certain provisions of the earlier treaty, including the position of Catholicism as the Italian state religion.

Government

Political system

For historical reasons, the government of Vatican City has a unique structure. As noted, the principal figures are the Secretary of State, the President of the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State, and the Governor of Vatican City. These, like all other officials, are appointed by the Pope and can be dismissed by him at any time.

File:Holysee-arms.png
Coat of arms of the Holy See.

During a papal vacancy, the Chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church, former Secretary of State, and former President of the Pontifical Commission form a commission that performs some of the functions of the head of state; while another made up of the Chamberlain and three cardinals (one being chosen by lot every three days from each order of cardinals), performs other functions of the head of state. All decisions of these commissions must be approved by the College of Cardinals.

The State of the Vatican City, as created by the Lateran Treaty, enables the Holy See to exist with a temporal jurisdiction, territorial identity, recognition, and independence within a small territory as a true nation-state in the eyes of other nations after the loss of the Papal States in 1870. The Vatican City State is not synonymous with the Holy See. It is a significant but not essential constituent entity of it. The Holy See has existed continuously as a juridical entity since Roman Imperial times and had been recognized by other sovereigns, nations and foreign powers as a powerful and independent sovereign entity since late antiquity to the present, even during periods when it held no territory (e.g. 1870 to 1929).

The Holy See has the oldest active continuous diplomatic representation or service in the world, dating back to at least 325 C.E. with its legation to the Council of Nicea. Indeed, other nations have their diplomatic relations with the Holy See, never the Vatican City State.

Church hierarchy

Prior to reforms made by Pope Paul VI (reigned 1963-1978), a large number of nobles existed within the government of the Vatican. A noble class still exists today and continues to form part of the papal court. The size of the papal court, however, had been reduced.

All cardinals, however, continue to have the royal rank of "prince of the blood." The rank's royal character is a vestige of the temporal power of the popes who ruled the Papal States for more than a thousand years and, prior to the Papal States, as the highest civil and religious authority of the Roman and Byzantine empires in Rome since late antiquity. Therefore, within this context, the State of the Vatican City is a true, although elected, monarchy in every sense of the word.[2]

Administration

The Governor of Vatican City, sometimes known as the President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City, has duties similar to those of a mayor or city executive, concentrating on material questions concerning the state's territory, including local security, but excluding external relations.

Legislative power is vested in the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, led by a president. Members are cardinals appointed by the pope for terms of five years.

The judicial functions are handled by three tribunals—the Apostolic Signatura, the Sacra Rota Romana, and the Apostolic Penitentiary, which are also the judicial arm of the Holy See (see below). The legal system is based on canon, or ecclesiastical, law; if Canon Law is not applicable, special laws of the territory apply, often modeled on Italian provisions.

Military

A member of the Swiss Guard at his post.

The Vatican City State has the distinction of having the smallest and oldest regular army in the world, the Swiss Guard. It was founded by Pope Julius II on January 22, 1506, and originally made up of Swiss mercenaries from the Swiss Confederation. They currently number a little over 100 men and are also the personal bodyguards of the Pope. Recruitment is restricted to Catholic, male, Swiss citizens.

The Palatine Guard and the Noble Guard were disbanded during the reign of Pope Paul VI in 1970, while the Corpo della Gendarmeria acts as the internal police force. Its full name is Corpo della Gendarmeria dello Stato della Città del Vaticano.

External defense is handled by the surrounding state of Italy, since the Vatican has no navy and no air force.

Communications

Vatican City has its own post office, fire brigade, police service, commissary (supermarket), bank, railway station, electric plant, and publishing house. The Vatican also controls its own Internet domain (.va).

Vatican Radio, which was originally organized by Guglielmo Marconi, today offers short- medium- and long-wave and broadband service around the world. The Vatican has also been given a radio ITU prefix, HV, and this is sometimes used by amateur radio operators. Transmission antennae are located in Italian territory. Television services are provided through another entity, the Vatican Television Center.

L'Osservatore Romano is the semi-official Vatican newspaper, published daily in Italian, and weekly in English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and French (plus a monthly edition in Polish). It is published by a private corporation under the direction of Catholic laymen but carries official information. Acta Apostolicae Sedis is the official publication of the Holy See, carrying the official texts of Church documents, but is little read other than by scholars and Church professionals. Official documents are also available on the Vatican website.[3]

Economy

The stamp vending machine of the Vatican Postal Service

The unique economy of Vatican City is supported financially by contributions (part of which is known as Peter's Pence) from Catholics throughout the world, the sale of postage stamps and tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, and the sale of publications.

The Vatican City issues its own coins. It has used the euro as its currency since January 1, 1999, owing to a special agreement with the EU (council decision 1999/98/CE). Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 1, 2002—the Vatican does not issue euro banknotes. Issuance of euro-denominated coins are strictly limited by treaty, though somewhat more than usual is allowed in a year in which there is a change in the papacy. Because of their rarity, Vatican euro coins are highly sought by collectors. Until the adoption of the Euro, Vatican coinage and stamps were denominated in their own Vatican lira currency, which was on par with the Italian lira.

It also has its own bank, Istituto per le Opere di Religione (also known as the Vatican Bank, and with the acronym IOR).

  • Budget: Revenues (2003), $252 million; expenditures (2003) $264 million.
  • Industries: printing and production of few mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide financial activities.

Demographics

Population and languages

Almost all of Vatican City's 558 citizens either live inside the Vatican's walls or serve in the Vatican's diplomatic corps in embassies (called "nunciatures"; a papal ambassador is a "nuncio") around the world. The Vatican citizenry consists almost entirely of two groups: clergy working as officials of the Vatican as a state or of the Catholic Church; and the Swiss Guard. Most of the 3,000 lay workers who comprise the majority of the Vatican work force reside outside the Vatican and are citizens of Italy, while a few are citizens of other nations. As a result, all of the City's actual citizens are Catholic. Catholicism is the state religion. All the places of worship inside Vatican City are Catholic.

The Vatican has no set official language, it can be changed at any moment by the current Pope. The language most often used for the authoritative version of official documents of the Catholic Church or emanating from the Pope is Latin. However, Italian and, to a lesser extent, other languages are generally used for most conversations, publications, and broadcasts and most documents or other communications dealing directly with the Vatican as a state are most easily available in Italian. German is the official language of the Swiss Guard. The Vatican's official website languages are Italian, German, English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Citizenship

Citizenship of Vatican City is conferred upon some of those who have been appointed to work in certain capacities at the Vatican, and it is usually revoked upon the termination of their employment. During the period of employment citizenship may also be extended to a Vatican citizen's spouse. Terms of citizenship are defined in the Lateran Treaty, and laws concerning the creation of the Vatican state in 1929 sought to restrict the number of people who could be granted Vatican citizenship. The only passports issued by the Vatican are diplomatic passports.

As of December 31, 2005, of the 558 people with Vatican citizenship, 246 were dual-citizens of other countries (the majority being Italian). The Lateran Treaty provides that in the event a Vatican citizen has his or her original nationality revoked and also loses Vatican citizenship, he or she will be automatically granted Italian citizenship.

Vatican citizenship list (2005):

  • The Pope;
  • 58 cardinals;
  • 293 members of the clergy who serve as diplomatic envoys abroad;
  • 62 lesser-ranking clergy members who work in the Vatican;
  • 101 officers, NCOs, and men of the Papal Swiss Guard; and
  • 43 lay persons.

Foreign relations

Providing a territorial identity for the Holy See, Vatican City State is a recognized national territory under international law. However, it is the Holy See that is the legal body that conducts diplomatic relations for the Vatican City in addition to the Holy See's usual diplomacy, entering into international agreements and both receiving and sending diplomatic representatives. Because of the very limited territory of the Vatican state, foreign embassies to the Holy See are located in the Italian part of Rome; Italy actually hosts its own Embassy of Italy.

The Holy See is currently the only European political entity that has formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Despite its minuscule size, as the veritable headquarters of the Catholic Church, the Vatican's influence on world affairs is disproportionately immense by virtue of its moral and spiritual authority.[4]

Culture

Detail of the Sistine Chapel ceiling.

The Vatican City is itself of great cultural significance. Buildings such as St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel are home to some of the most famous art in the world, which includes works by artists such as Botticelli, Bernini, and Michelangelo. The Vatican Library and the collections of the Vatican Museums are of the highest historical, scientific, and cultural importance. In 1984, the Vatican was added by UNESCO to the List of World Heritage Sites; it is the only one to consist of an entire country. Furthermore, it is the only site to date registered with UNESCO as a centre containing monuments in the "International Register of Cultural Property under Special Protection" according to the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

Notes

  1. Altar of Cybele in Vatican Museum. mv.vatican.va. Retrieved June 10, 2007.
  2. Vatican City. Catholic-Pages.com. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
  3. Vatican web site, Vatican Web Site. Retrieved April 14, 2008.
  4. Vatican influence on the United Nations, the World Health Organization and other international agencies. www.population-security.org. Retrieved March 16, 2007.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Fox, Martha Capwell. Modern Nations of the World—The Vatican City. Lucent Books, 2005. ISBN 9781590187333
  • Lo Bello, Nino. The Incredible Book of Vatican Facts and Papal Curiosities. Grammercy, 20002. ISBN 97805172220832
  • Marchant, Piers. How to Be Pope: What to Do and Where to Go Once You're in the Vatican. Chronicle Books, 2005. ISBN 9780811852210
  • Roncalli, Francesco. Vatican City. Treasures Inc., 1996. ISBN 9788886921077

External links

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