Overview
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
- Location
- Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)
- Total Area
- 0 sq km
- Climate
- temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to May) with hot, dry summers (May to September)
- Terrain
- urban; low hill
- Natural Resources
- none
- Coastline
- 0 km (landlocked)
- Land Borders
- 3.4 km
People & Society
- Population
- 1,000 (2024)
- Religions
- Roman Catholic
- Ethnic Groups
- Italian, Swiss, Argentinian, and other nationalities from around the world (2017)
- Urbanization
- 100% of total population (2023)
Government
- Government Type
- ecclesiastical elective monarchy; self-described as an "absolute monarchy"
- Capital
- Vatican City
- Independence
- 11 February 1929
- Constitution
- 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
- Legal System
- religious system based on canon (religious) law
- Executive Branch
- Pope LEO XIV (since 8 May 2025)
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
- Major Industries
- printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps; mosaics, staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities