Holy See (Vatican City)
The Holy See (Vatican City State)
Population
1.0K
Area
0 km²
GDP
N/A
GDP Per Capita
N/A
Quick Facts
Currency
€euro(EUR)
Calling Code
+3906698
Timezone
UTC+01:00
Languages
Italian, Latin
Driving Side
right
Demonym
Vatican
Background
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.
Geography15
Location
Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)
Geographic coordinates
41 54 N, 12 27 E
Map references
Europe
Area
land: 0.44 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
about 0.7 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Land boundaries
border countries: 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
lowest point: Saint Peter's Square 19 m
Natural resources
none
Land use
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 & Society8
Population
Nationality
adjective: none
Ethnic groups
Italian, Swiss, Argentinian, and other nationalities from around the world (2017)
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.
Religions
Roman Catholic
Population growth rate
0% (2014 est.)
Urbanization
rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1,000 VATICAN CITY (capital) (2018)
Government21
Country name
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
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
Legal system
religious system based on canon (religious) law
Constitution
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 descent only: no
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: not applicable
Suffrage
election of the pope is limited to cardinals under 80 years old
Executive branch
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
legislative structure
number of seats
term in office
most recent election date
percentage of women in chamber
Judicial branch
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
Political parties
none
Diplomatic representation in the US
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
embassy
mailing address
telephone
FAX
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
Flag
meaning: yellow stands for the pope's spiritual power, and white for his worldly power
National symbol(s)
crossed keys under a papal tiara
National color(s)
yellow, white
National anthem(s)
lyrics/music: Raffaello LAVAGNA/Charles-Francois GOUNOD
history: adopted 1949
National heritage
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
Economy3
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
Currency
Exchange rates 2024
Exchange rates 2023
Exchange rates 2022
Exchange rates 2021
Exchange rates 2020
Energy1
Electricity access
Communications3
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
Transportation1
Heliports
1 (2025)
Military & Security3
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)
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 (2025)
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Italy
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