Holy See (Vatican City)
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Holy See (Vatican City)⌘K
Overview
- 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.
Geography
Area
- Land
- 0.44 sq km
- Water
- 0 sq km
- Total
- 0 sq km
- Climate
- temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to May) with hot, dry summers (May to September)
- Terrain
- urban; low hill
Land Use
- Other
- 100% (2022 est.)
- Forest
- 0% (2022 est.)
- Agricultural land
- 0% (2022 est.)
- Location
- Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)
- Coastline
- 0 km (landlocked)
Elevation
- Lowest point
- Saint Peter's Square 19 m
- Highest point
- Vatican Gardens (Vatican Hill) 78 m
- Map references
- Europe
Land Boundaries
- Total
- 3.4 km
- Border countries
- Italy 3.4 km
- Maritime claims
- none (landlocked)
- Natural hazards
- occasional earthquakes
- Geography note
- landlocked; an enclave in Rome, Italy; world's smallest state
- Natural resources
- none
- Area comparative
- about 0.7 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
- Geographic coordinates
- 41 54 N, 12 27 E
People & Society
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.
- Religions
- Roman Catholic
Population
- Total
- 1,000 (2024)
Nationality
- Noun
- none
- Adjective
- none
Urbanization
- Urban population
- 100% of total population (2023)
- Rate of urbanization
- 0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- Ethnic groups
- Italian, Swiss, Argentinian, and other nationalities from around the world (2017)
- Population growth rate
- 0% (2014 est.)
- Major urban areas population
- 1,000 VATICAN CITY (capital) (2018)
Government
Civica · structure
How power is organised
Executive
- Flag
- description: two vertical bands of yellow (left side) and white, with the arms of the Holy See centered in the white band; the arms show the crossed keys of Saint Peter under the three-tiered papal tiara
meaning: yellow stands for the pope's spiritual power, and white for his worldly power
Capital
- Name
- Vatican City
- Etymology
- the name derives from the hill called Mons Vaticanus, on which the Vatican is located and which comes from the Latin vates (prophet), referring to the fortune tellers and soothsayers who frequented the area in Roman times
- Time difference
- UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- Daylight saving time
- +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
- Geographic coordinates
- 41 54 N, 12 27 E
- Suffrage
- election of the pope is limited to cardinals under 80 years old
Citizenship
- 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
- Citizenship BY birth
- no
- Citizenship BY descent only
- no
- Dual citizenship recognized
- no
- Residency requirement for naturalization
- not applicable
Constitution
- 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
- Amendment process
- 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
Country Name
- 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 name Vatican derives from the hill Mons Vaticanus on which the Vatican is located and which comes from the Latin vates (prophet), 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)
- Conventional long form
- The Holy See (Vatican City State)
- Conventional short form
- Holy See (Vatican City)
- Independence
- 11 February 1929
- Legal system
- religious system based on canon (religious) law
- Government type
- ecclesiastical elective monarchy; self-described as an "absolute monarchy"
Judicial Branch
- Note
- note: the Motu Proprio (papal directive) of Pope PIUS XII established judicial duties on 1 May 1946; most Vatican City criminal matters are handled by the Republic of Italy courts
- 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)
- Subordinate courts
- Appellate Court of Vatican City; Tribunal of Vatican City
- 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
Executive Branch
- Cabinet
- Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City appointed by the pope
- Chief of state
- Pope LEO XIV (since 8 May 2025)
- Election results
2025: Robert PREVOST elected Pope LEO XIV- 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)
- Election/appointment process
- pope elected by the College of Cardinals, usually for life or until voluntary resignation; Secretary of State appointed by the pope
- National color(s)
- yellow, white
National Heritage
- Total world heritage sites
- 2 (both cultural)
- 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
- Political parties
- none
Legislative Branch
- Term in office
- 5 years
- Number of seats
- 7
- Legislature name
- Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City (Pontificia Commissione per lo Stato della Citta del Vaticano)
- Legislative structure
- unicameral
- Most recent election date
- 22 September 2018
- Percentage of women in chamber
- 0%
National Anthem(s)
- Title
- “Hymnus Pontificius" (Pontifical Anthem)
- History
- adopted 1949
- Lyrics/music
- Raffaello LAVAGNA/Charles-Francois GOUNOD
- National symbol(s)
- crossed keys under a papal tiara
Diplomatic Representation in the US
- Fax
- [1] (202) 337-4036
- Chancery
- 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
- Telephone
- [1] (202) 333-7121
- Chief of mission
- Apostolic Nuncio Cardinal Christophe PIERRE (since 27 June 2016)
- Email address and website
nuntiususa@nuntiususa.org
http://www.nuntiususa.org/
Diplomatic Representation from the US
- Fax
- [39] (06) 4674-3411
- Embassy
- Via Sallustiana, 49, 00187 Rome
- Telephone
- [39] (06) 4674-1
- Mailing address
- 5660 Holy See Place, Washington DC 20521-5660
- Chief of mission
- Ambassador Brian Francis BURCH II (since 13 September 2025)
- Email address and website
https://va.usembassy.gov/
- International organisations
- 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)
- International law organization participation
- has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Leaders
Current
Leo XIV
- Head of State
Raffaella Petrini
- Head of Government
Economy
- Industries
- printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps; mosaics, staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities
Exchange Rates
- 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
- Currency
- euros (EUR) per US dollar -
- 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.)
- Exchange rates 2024
- 0.924 (2024 est.)
- Economic overview
- limited, tourism-based economy; euro user with own minted coins; produces commemorative stamps, coins, and publications to support museums and religious needs; residents pay no direct taxes; “zero deficit” plan to address budget shortfall
Energy
Electricity Access
- Electrification total population
- 100% (2021)
Communications
Internet Users
- Percent of population
- 87% (2023 est.)
- Broadcast media
- the Vatican Television Center (CTV) transmits live broadcasts of the Pope's weekly audiences, as well as his public celebrations; CTV also produces documentaries; Vatican Radio is the official broadcasting service via shortwave, AM, and FM frequencies, as well as satellite and web; Vatican News website partners with Vatican Radio and provides Catholic news from the Vatican (2021)
- Internet country code
- .va
Transport
- Heliports
- 1 (2025)
Environment
- Climate
- temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to May) with hot, dry summers (May to September)
Land Use
- Other
- 100% (2022 est.)
- Forest
- 0% (2022 est.)
- Agricultural land
- 0% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
- Urban population
- 100% of total population (2023)
- Rate of urbanization
- 0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- Environmental issues
- some air pollution from the surrounding city of Rome
International Environmental Agreements
- Party to
- Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection
- Signed, but not ratified
- Air Pollution, Environmental Modification
Military & Security
- 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 (2025)
- 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 (2025)
Scores & Rankings
ScoreValueGlobal rankTrendAs of
Press Freedom (RSF)Partly free (50/100)as of 2024—2024
Cite this page
Cite this page
Civica. (2026). Civica Atlas — Holy See (Vatican City) — vintage 2026-Q1: Holy See (Vatican City) factbook. Civica Atlas. Retrieved May 7, 2026, from https://civicaatlas.org/factbook/holy-see-vatican-city
Sources: UN Statistics Division, CIA World Factbook, Wikidata