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Vatican City, officially Vatican City State, is a landlocked sovereign state and city-state. It is an enclave within Rome, Italy, and is recognised as the seat of the Catholic Church. It became independent from the Kingdom of Italy in 1929 with the Lateran Treaty. Vatican City is governed by the Holy See, commonly known as the central governing body of the Catholic Church and Vatican City, comprising the Pope and the Roman Curia. The Pope, as the bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church, exercises principal legislative, executive, and judicial power over the State of Vatican City.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Status | Vatican City is a landlocked sovereign state and city-state, the smallest in the world by area and population. |
| Governance | Governed by the Holy See, Vatican City is an ecclesiastical or sacerdotal-monarchical state ruled by the Pope, who is the bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church. |
| Economy | The economy of Vatican City is supported by donations from Catholic believers, the sale of postage stamps and souvenirs, fees for museum admissions, and sales of publications. There are no taxes and items are duty-free. |
| History | Vatican City became an independent state in 1929 through the Lateran Treaty, ensuring the temporal, diplomatic, and spiritual independence of the papacy. |
| Religion | Vatican City is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church and home to famous churches such as St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. |
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What You'll Learn
Vatican City is a sovereign state
Vatican City, officially the Vatican City State, is a landlocked sovereign state and city-state. It is an enclave within Rome, Italy, and is the seat of the Catholic Church. Vatican City became an independent state in 1929 through the Lateran Treaty, which was signed between the Holy See and the Kingdom of Italy. With an area of 49 hectares (121 acres) and a population of about 882 in 2024, it is the smallest sovereign state in the world in terms of both area and population.
The Holy See, the central governing body of the Catholic Church, governs Vatican City. The pope, as the bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church, holds legislative, executive, and judicial power over the state. The Holy See has existed as a juridical entity since Roman Imperial times and has been internationally recognized as a sovereign entity under international law since Late Antiquity. It maintains temporal power, governance, diplomacy, and spiritual independence.
As a sovereign state, Vatican City has its own telephone system, post office, gardens, astronomical observatory, radio station, banking system, and pharmacy. It also has a contingent of Swiss Guards who have been responsible for the pope's safety since 1506. The economy of Vatican City is supported by donations from Catholic believers, the sale of postage stamps and souvenirs, fees for museum admissions, and sales of publications. There is no income tax in Vatican City, and items are duty-free.
While Vatican City is recognized as a sovereign state by many, some argue that it does not meet the criteria for statehood. Critics point out that Vatican City has a predominantly temporary population, as citizenship is often tied to employment with the Holy See. Additionally, they argue that Vatican City lacks the capacity to enter into relations with other states independently, as it is closely tied to the Holy See and the Catholic Church.
In summary, Vatican City is recognized as a sovereign state by much of the international community, possessing characteristics such as a defined territory, a form of government, and diplomatic relations. However, its unique nature as an ecclesiastical state governed by the Holy See and its close association with the Catholic Church have sparked debates about its statehood.
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The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church
The Pope's official title with regards to Vatican City is Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City. The Vatican City, or Vatican City State, is a landlocked sovereign state and city-state. It is an enclave within Rome, the seat of the Catholic Church, and serves as the administrative centre of the Catholic Church. It is governed by the See of Rome, commonly known as the Holy See, which is the central governing body of the Catholic Church and Vatican City.
The Pope is considered one of the world's most powerful people due to the extensive diplomatic, cultural, and spiritual influence of his position on both 1.3 billion Catholics and those outside the Catholic faith. The Pope makes decisions on issues of faith and morality for Catholics worldwide.
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The Holy See is the central governing body of the Catholic Church
The Holy See, from the Latin 'Sancta Sedes', meaning 'Holy Chair', is the central governing body of the Catholic Church. It is also referred to as the See of Rome, the Petrine See, or the Apostolic See. The Holy See encompasses the office of the Pope, who is the bishop of the apostolic episcopal see of Rome, and is the head of the Catholic Church.
The Holy See is headquartered in Vatican City, an independent city-state enclaved in Rome, over which it exercises "exclusive dominion". Vatican City was established in 1929 by the Lateran Treaty between the Holy See and the Kingdom of Italy, to ensure the temporal, diplomatic, and spiritual independence of the papacy.
The Holy See is administered by the Roman Curia, a complex of offices that administer church affairs at the highest level. The Roman Curia includes dicasteries, comparable to ministries and executive departments, and is led by the Cardinal Secretary of State, who is the See's equivalent of a prime minister. The Pope governs the Catholic Church through the Roman Curia, making the Holy See the central governing body of the Catholic Church.
The Holy See is recognised by international law as a sovereign juridical entity, and maintains diplomatic relations with other sovereign states. It is one of the last remaining absolute monarchies in the world, with the Pope exercising principal legislative, executive, and judicial power.
The Holy See is also a spiritual authority, predating the establishment of Vatican City and the Vatican Palace. It is traditionally held that the Holy See began in early Christian times with the primacy of St. Peter, considered by Catholics to be the church's first Pope.
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The Roman Curia assists the Pope in conducting Church affairs
The Vatican, or Vatican City, is a landlocked sovereign state and city-state. It is an enclave within Rome, serving as the administrative centre of the Catholic Church. The Holy See, the central governing body of the Catholic Church and Vatican City, is administered by the Roman Curia.
The Roman Curia is the institution through which the Pope, as the bishop of the apostolic episcopal see of Rome, conducts the affairs of the Catholic Church. It is headed by a prefect, assisted by the Regent, and includes dicasteries, comparable to ministries and executive departments. The Roman Curia is a complex of offices that administer church affairs at the highest level, including the Secretariat of State, nine Congregations, three Tribunals, eleven Pontifical Councils, and seven Pontifical Commissions.
The Secretariat of State, under the Cardinal Secretary of State, directs and coordinates the Curia. The incumbent, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, is the See's equivalent of a prime minister. Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Secretary of the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State, acts as the Holy See's minister of foreign affairs. The Secretariat of State is the only body of the Curia located within Vatican City. The others are in buildings in different parts of Rome, with extraterritorial rights akin to embassies.
The Roman Curia is sometimes referred to as the Court of Rome, and it was created by Pope Urban II (r. 1088-1099). Curia, in medieval and later Latin usage, means "court" in the sense of a "royal court."
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The Vatican is distinct from the Holy See
The Vatican, or Vatican City, is a landlocked sovereign state and city-state. It is the smallest sovereign state in the world by both size and population. It is an enclave within Rome, the seat of the Catholic Church, and serves as the administrative centre of the Catholic Church.
The Holy See, on the other hand, is the central governing body of the Catholic Church and Vatican City. It is a sovereign juridical entity under international law and is headquartered in Vatican City. It is also referred to as the See of Rome, the Petrine See, or the Apostolic See. The Holy See is administered by the Roman Curia, which assists the Pope and through which the affairs of the Catholic Church are conducted.
While the Pope is the head of both the Vatican City and the Holy See, the two entities are distinct. The Vatican is a geographic entity, whereas the Holy See is a non-geographic sovereign entity and the jurisdiction of the Pope. The Holy See has existed continuously as a juridical entity since Roman Imperial times and has been recognised as a powerful and independent sovereign entity since Late Antiquity.
The Vatican City was established in 1929 following the signing of the Lateran Treaty between the Kingdom of Italy and the Pope. The treaty recognised Vatican City as an independent city-state with sovereign authority and jurisdiction, separate from yet under the "full ownership" of the Holy See. The Holy See's budget is distinct from that of the Vatican City State and is supported by various sources, including investments, real estate income, and donations from Catholic individuals and institutions.
The Vatican is also home to the See of Rome, commonly known as the Holy See, and is the jurisdiction of the Pope, the Bishop of Rome. The Holy See maintains diplomatic relations with over 180 countries and is recognised as a sovereign entity by international bodies such as the UN and the Council of Europe.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Vatican is a landlocked sovereign state and city-state that is the seat of the Catholic Church. It is officially known as Vatican City State.
Yes, the Vatican is part of the Catholic Church. It is the administrative centre of the Catholic Church and is led by the Pope, who is the head of the Catholic Church.
No, the Holy See is the central governing body of the Catholic Church and the Vatican. It is often referred to as the Vatican, but the Vatican City State is distinct from the Holy See.
Yes, the Vatican is a country. It became an independent state in 1929 and is the smallest sovereign state in the world by area and population.
