Holy See (Vatican City)
The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)
ecclesiasticalIndependence 11 February 1929 (from Italy)
Holy See (Vatican City) as the 2003 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 80 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid 19th century, when many of the Papal States were seized by the newly united Kingdom of Italy. In 1870, the pope's holdings were further circumscribed when Rome itself was annexed. Disputes between a series of "prisoner" popes and Italy 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 certain of the earlier treaty provisions, including the primacy of Roman Catholicism as the Italian state religion. Present concerns of the Holy See include the failing health of Pope John Paul II, interreligious dialogue and reconciliation, and the application of church doctrine in an era of rapid change and globalization. About 1 billion people worldwide profess the Catholic faith.
Geography
Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)
18 fieldsLand useshare of 0.44 sq km
Climate
temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with hot, dry summers (May to September)
Environment - international agreements
- party to:
- none of the selected agreements
- signed, but not ratified:
- Air Pollution, Environmental Modification
Geography - note
- urban;
- landlocked;
- enclave in Rome, Italy;
- world's smallest state;
- outside the Vatican City, 13 buildings in Rome and Castel Gandolfo (the pope's summer residence) enjoy extraterritorial rights
People
10 fieldsGovernment
Ecclesiastical; Pope JOHN PAUL II (since 16 October 1978); Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo SODANO (since 2 December 1990)
18 fieldsCountry name
- conventional long form:
- The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)
- conventional short form:
- Holy See (Vatican City)
- local short form:
- Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)
- local long form:
- Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)
Independence
11 February 1929 (from Italy)
note: on 11 February 1929, three treaties were signed with Italy which, among other things, recognized the full sovereignty of the Vatican and established its territorial extent;
however, the origin of the Papal States, which over the years have varied considerably in extent, may be traced back to the 8th century
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- Pope JOHN PAUL II (since 16 October 1978)
- head of government:
- Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo SODANO (since 2 December 1990)
- cabinet:
- Pontifical Commission appointed by the pope
- elections:
- pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals;
- election last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of the current pope);
- secretary of state appointed by the pope
- election results:
- Karol WOJTYLA elected pope
Judicial branch
there are three tribunals responsible for civil and criminal matters within Vatican City; three other tribunals rule on issues pertaining to the Holy See note: judicial duties were established by the Motu Proprio of Pius XII on 1 May 1946
International organization participation
CE (observer), IAEA, ICFTU, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WHO (observer), WIPO, WToO (observer), WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Gabriel MONTALVO
- FAX:
- [1] (202) 337-4036
- telephone:
- [1] (202) 333-7121
- chancery:
- 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador R. James "Jim" NICHOLSON
- embassy:
- Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00153 Rome
- mailing address:
- PSC 59, Box 66, APO AE 09624
- telephone:
- [39] (06) 4674-3428
- FAX:
- [39] (06) 5758346
Flag description
two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter centered in the white band
Economy
16 fieldsEconomy - overview
This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by an annual tax on Roman Catholic dioceses throughout the world, as well as by special collections (known as Peter's Pence); the sale of postage stamps, coins, medals, and tourist mementos; fees for admission to museums;
and the sale of publications. Investments and real estate income also account for a sizable portion of revenue. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome.
Labor force - by occupation
essentially services with a small amount of industry; note - dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers live outside the Vatican
Industries
- printing;
- production of coins, medals, postage stamps, a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms;
- worldwide banking and financial activities
Communications
8 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- automatic exchange
- domestic:
- tied into Italian system
- international:
- uses Italian system
Transportation
6 fieldsMilitary
Swiss Guards Corps (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera)
2 fieldsMilitary - note
defense is the responsibility of Italy; Swiss Papal Guards are posted at entrances to the Vatican City to provide security and protect the Pope
Transnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Holy See (Vatican City).” The World Factbook 2003. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/holy-see/2003.