Sarah Mitchell
Vatican City, the smallest country in the world, is a unique nation-state with a population of just under 1,000 people and a size of 108 acres. It came into existence on February 11, 1929, with the signing of the Lateran Treaty, which ended a period of political and religious turmoil in Italy and granted the Vatican independence and sovereignty. The Vatican is a theocratic absolute monarchy ruled by the Pope, who is both the head of state and the head of the Catholic Church. It has its own flag, currency, stamps, national anthem, and even the smallest army in the world, consisting of 110 Swiss Guards. Despite its small size and unique characteristics, the Vatican operates many of the same governmental functions as other countries and is recognised as a sovereign state by the international community.
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What You'll Learn
The Lateran Treaty
The treaty was one component of the Lateran Pacts, which were constituted in three parts: a treaty that gives an international identity to the Vatican City State, an economic treaty, and a concordat. The Pacts established relations between Italy and the Holy See, guaranteeing the Pope's total freedom and independence. The Pope was pledged to perpetual neutrality in international relations and to abstention from mediation unless specifically requested by all parties.
The treaty included a financial agreement, with Italy agreeing to give the Catholic Church financial compensation for the loss of the Papal States. It also reaffirmed the principle that Catholicism was the only religion of the Italian State. In 1948, the Lateran Treaty was recognised in the Constitution of Italy as regulating the relations between the Italian Republic and the Catholic Church. In 1984, the concordat was significantly revised, ending the status of Catholicism as the sole state religion of Italy. However, the Vatican remains a distinct sovereign entity.
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The Pope's authority
The Vatican City, the world's smallest country, is a theocratic absolute monarchy ruled by the Pope. The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church and the Bishop of the Diocese of Rome. The Pope's official title with regard to Vatican City is Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City.
The Vatican is a unique country, with a population of just under 1,000 people and a size of 108 acres. It is a pilgrimage site for Catholics and is known for its political and administrative functions. The Pope's authority in the Vatican extends to the selection of its citizens, who are either Cardinals or Swiss Guards. The Pope also has the authority to issue passports and license plates, and the Vatican mints its own euros, prints its own stamps, and operates media outlets.
The Holy See, which is the name given to the sovereign entity capable of diplomatic relationships, conducts diplomatic relations on behalf of the Vatican. The Holy See has permanent observer status at the United Nations, and all members of the United Nations recognise it. The Holy See's involvement in diplomatic relationships was key to the Vatican receiving recognition as a country.
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International recognition
The Vatican City is a recognised national territory under international law. However, it is not a member of the United Nations (UN) and does not have a diplomatic service of its own. The Holy See, which governs the Vatican City, conducts diplomatic relations on its behalf and engages in its own diplomacy, entering into international agreements concerning the Vatican City.
The Holy See was granted permanent observer status to the United Nations General Assembly in 1968, which allows it to attend sessions of the General Assembly, Security Council and Economic and Social Council. All members of the United Nations recognise the Holy See, however, the Holy See does not recognise the People's Republic of China.
The Vatican City is the smallest country in the world by both size and population, with a population of just under 1,000 people and a size of 108 acres or 0.17 square miles. It is a theocratic absolute monarchy ruled by the Pope, who is the head of state and government. The Pope is selected by the senior members of the clergy, known as Cardinals, through a secret ballot system.
The Vatican City has its own flag, national anthem, currency, stamps, passports, and license plates. It also has its own media outlets and a postal service. It is one of the few countries in the world that do not provide any publicly available financial data to the International Monetary Fund.
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Vatican City's sovereignty
Vatican City, the world's smallest country, became a sovereign nation-state in 1929 when the Lateran Treaty was signed. This treaty was signed between Pope Pius XI and Benito Mussolini, the dictator of Italy at the time. The treaty aimed to settle the "Roman question" and keep the Pope from interfering in Italy's political decisions, giving the Vatican the sovereignty it sought as an independent country.
Vatican City is a recognised national territory under international law, and the Holy See conducts diplomatic relations on its behalf. The Holy See is the name given to the sovereign entity capable of diplomatic relationships, and it has been granted permanent observer status by the United Nations. This status allows the Holy See to attend sessions of the General Assembly, Security Council, and Economic and Social Council.
As a theocratic absolute monarchy, Vatican City is ruled by the Pope, who is the head of state and the absolute monarch. The Pope is selected by the senior members of the clergy, known as the Cardinals, through a secret ballot system. The Pope's official title with regards to Vatican City is Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City.
Vatican City has many of the trappings of a country, including its own flag, national anthem, and currency. It also issues passports and operates media outlets. The country is home to some of the world's most prestigious art collections, housed in the Vatican Museums, and is a global pilgrimage site for Catholicism.
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The Holy See
The Vatican is the smallest country in the world by size and population, with a population of just under 1,000 people and a size of 108 acres or 0.17 square miles. It is a theocratic absolute monarchy, with the Pope as its head of state. The Pope is selected by senior clergy members, known as Cardinals, through a secret ballot system.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Vatican is a country. It is officially the smallest country globally, with a population of just under 1,000 people and a size of 108 acres.
The Vatican became a country on 11 February 1929, when the Lateran Treaty was signed between Pope Pius XI and Benito Mussolini.
The Vatican became a country to settle the "Roman question". The Lateran Treaty established the Vatican as a separate entity from Italy, ensuring the Pope could not interfere in Italy's political decisions and giving the Vatican sovereignty as an independent country.
The Vatican has many of the same functions as other countries. It mints its own money, has its own flag, operates its own post office, prints its own stamps, and has its own national anthem. The Vatican is also recognised as a sovereign state by other countries, including the United States.
