Holy See Overview
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Where is Holy See located?

What countries border Holy See?

Holy See Facts

What is the capital of Holy See?

Capital Vatican City
Government Type Ecclesiastical elective monarchy; self-described as an "absolute monarchy"
Currency Euro (EUR)
Total Area 0 Square Miles
0 Square Kilometers
Location Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)
Language Italian, Latin, French, various other languages
GDP - per capita (PPP) $0.00 (USD)

Holy See Demographics

What is the population of Holy See?

Nationality Noun None
Population 1,000
Urban Population 0.000000

Holy See Government

What type of government does Holy See have?

Executive Branch Chief of State: Pope FRANCIS (since 13 March 2013)

Dead of Government: President of the Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City and President of the Governorate of the Vatican City State is Fernando VERGEZ ALZAGA (since 1 October 2021)

Cabinet: Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City appointed by the pope

Elections/Appointments: pope elected by the College of Cardinals, usually for life or until voluntary resignation; election last held on 13 March 2013 after the resignation of Pope BENEDICT XVI (next to be held after the death or resignation of the current pope); Secretary of State appointed by the pope

Election results: 2013: Jorge Mario BERGOGLIO, former Archbishop of Buenos Aires, elected Pope FRANCIS
Suffrage Election of the pope is limited to cardinals less than 80 years old
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
National Holiday Election Day of Pope FRANCIS, 13 March (2013)
Constitution History: Previous 1929, 1963; latest promulgated November 2000, effective 22 February 2001 (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; note - Pope Francis in October 2013, instituted a 9-member Council of Cardinal Advisers to reform the Roman Curia to include writing a new constitution; in June 2018, Pope Francis approved the Council of Cardinals' first draft of the new apostolic constitution, Predicate Evangelium (Preach the Gospel); it became effective 5 June 2022, replacing Pastor Bonus, the previous governing document of the Roman Curia

Amendments: Note - 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
Independence 11 February 1929; note - the three treaties signed with Italy on 11 February 1929 acknowledged, among other things, the full sovereignty of the Holy See and established its territorial extent; however, the origin of the Papal States, which over centuries varied considerably in extent, may be traced back to A.D. 754

Holy See Video

YouTube, Devin Graham Italy Takeover! Rome, Pisa & Vatican City

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Holy See Geography

What environmental issues does Holy See have?

Overview The state of Vatican City is the smallest sovereign state in the world. A tiny enclave within the city of Rome, it occupies 109 acres and is almost completely surrounded by medieval walls. As a result of the Lateran Pacts of 1929, the Italian Government granted St. Peter’s Basilica and Square and the surrounding area within the Vatican walls as the Holy See’s sovereign and independent territorial base. Besides St. Peter’s, Vatican City also includes the Apostolic Palace, administrative and residential buildings, museums, archives, and libraries, a cemetery, and gardens covering almost one-third of the entire area. Thirteen other buildings in Rome, as well as the Pope’s summer residence at nearby Castel Gandolfo, enjoy extraterritoriality under the terms of the Lateran Pacts.
Climate Rome's climate is mild and the area is noted for its frequent sunny days. Summers are hot (and sometimes humid) and winters are cold (overcoats necessary).
Border Countries Italy 3.2 km
Environment - International Agreements Party to: Ozone Layer Protection

Signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution, Environmental Modification

Holy See Economy

How big is the Holy See economy?

Economic Overview The Holy See is supported financially by a variety of sources, including investments, real estate income, and donations from Catholic individuals, dioceses, and institutions; these help fund the Roman Curia (Vatican bureaucracy), diplomatic missions, and media outlets. Moreover, an annual collection taken up in dioceses and from direct donations go to a non-budgetary fund, known as Peter's Pence, which is used directly by the pope for charity, disaster relief, and aid to churches in developing nations.

The separate Vatican City State budget includes the Vatican museums and post office and is supported financially by the sale of stamps, coins, medals, and tourist mementos as well as fees for admission to museums and publication sales. Revenues increased between 2010 and 2011 because of expanded operating hours and a growing number of visitors. However, the Holy See did not escape the financial difficulties experienced by other European countries; in 2012, it started a spending review to determine where to cut costs to reverse its 2011 budget deficit of $20 million. The Holy See generated a modest surplus in 2012 before recording a $32 million deficit in 2013, driven primarily by the decreasing value of gold. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome so most public expenditures go to wages and other personnel costs;. In February 2014, Pope FRANCIS created the Secretariat of the Economy to oversee financial and administrative operations of the Holy See, part of a broader campaign to reform the Holy See’s finances.
Currency Name and Code Euro (EUR)

Holy See News and Current Events

What current events are happening in Holy See?
Source: Google News

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