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.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes
Geography
Location
Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)
Geographic coordinates
41 54 N, 12 27 E
Map references
Europe
Area
total : 0 sq km
land: 0.44 sq km
water: 0 sq km
comparison ranking: total 250
Area – comparative
about 0.7 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
total: 3.4 km
border countries (1): Italy 3.4 km
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Climate
temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to May) with hot, dry summers (May to September)
Terrain
urban; low hill
Elevation
highest point: Vatican Gardens (Vatican Hill) 78 m
lowest point: Saint Peter’s Square 19 m
Natural resources
none
Land use
agricultural land: 0% (2022 est.)
forest: 0% (2022 est.)
other: 100% (2022 est.)
Natural hazards
occasional earthquakes
Geography – note
landlocked; an enclave in Rome, Italy; world’s smallest state
People and Society
Population
total: 1,000 (2024)
comparison ranking: total 235
Nationality
noun: none
adjective: none
Ethnic groups
Italian, Swiss, Argentinian, and other nationalities from around the world (2017)
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.
Italian audio sample:
Religions
Roman Catholic
Population growth rate
0% (2014 est.)
comparison ranking: 194
Urbanization
urban population: 100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas – population
1,000 VATICAN CITY (capital) (2018)
Environment
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
Climate
temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to May) with hot, dry summers (May to September)
Land use
agricultural land: 0% (2022 est.)
forest: 0% (2022 est.)
other: 100% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Total renewable water resources
0 cubic meters (2017 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: The Holy See (Vatican City State)
conventional short form: Holy See (Vatican City)
local long form: La Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)
local short form: Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)
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
Government type
ecclesiastical elective monarchy; self-described as an “absolute monarchy”
Capital
name: Vatican City
geographic coordinates: 41 54 N, 12 27 E
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
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
Administrative divisions
none
Legal system
religious system based on canon (religious) law
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
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: no
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: not applicable
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
Suffrage
election of the pope is limited to cardinals under 80 years old
Executive branch
chief of state: Pope LEO XIV (since 8 May 2025)
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)
cabinet: Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City appointed by the pope
election/appointment process: pope elected by the College of Cardinals, usually for life or until voluntary resignation; Secretary of State appointed by the pope
election results:
2025: Robert PREVOST elected Pope LEO XIV
Legislative branch
legislature name: Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City (Pontificia Commissione per lo Stato della Citta del Vaticano)
legislative structure: unicameral
number of seats: 7
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 22 September 2018
percentage of women in chamber: 0%
Judicial branch
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)
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
subordinate courts: Appellate Court of Vatican City; Tribunal of Vatican City
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
Political parties
none
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Apostolic Nuncio Cardinal Christophe PIERRE (since 27 June 2016)
chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121
FAX: [1] (202) 337-4036
email address and website:
[email protected]
http://www.nuntiususa.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Laura HOCHLA (since 8 July 2024)
embassy: Via Sallustiana, 49, 00187 Rome
mailing address: 5660 Holy See Place, Washington DC 20521-5660
telephone: [39] (06) 4674-1
FAX: [39] (06) 4674-3411
email address and website:
https://va.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
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)
Independence
11 February 1929
note: the three treaties signed with Italy on 11 February 1929 acknowledged the full sovereignty of the Holy See and established its territorial extent, but the origin of the Papal States, which over centuries varied considerably in extent, can be traced back to A.D. 754
Flag description
two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the arms of the Holy See, consisting of the crossed keys of Saint Peter with the three-tiered papal tiara above, centered in the white band; the yellow color represents the pope’s spiritual power, and the white his worldly power
National symbol(s)
crossed keys under a papal tiara
National color(s)
yellow, white
National anthem(s)
title: “Hymnus Pontificius” (Pontifical Anthem)
lyrics/music: Raffaello LAVAGNA/Charles-Francois GOUNOD
history: adopted 1949
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
Economy
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
Industries
printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps; mosaics, staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities
Exchange rates
euros (EUR) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
0.924 (2024 est.)
0.925 (2023 est.)
0.95 (2022 est.)
0.845 (2021 est.)
0.876 (2020 est.)
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
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 100% (2021)
Communications
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
Internet users
percent of population: 87% (2023 est.)
Transportation
Heliports
1 (2025)
comparison ranking: 155
Military and Security
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)
note: the Swiss Guard Corps has protected the Pope and his residence since 1506
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 (2024)
Military – note
defense is the responsibility of Italy
