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NAVIGATION
The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)
Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)
GOVERNMENT
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Country name:
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conventional long form: The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)
conventional short form: Holy See (Vatican City) local short form: Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano) local long form: Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano) |
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Government type:
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ecclesiastical |
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Capital:
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Vatican City |
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Administrative divisions:
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none |
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Independence:
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11 February 1929 (from Italy)
note: on 11 February 1929, three treaties were signed with Italy which, among other things, recognized the full sovereignty of the Vatican and established its territorial extent; however, the origin of the Papal States, which over the years have varied considerably in extent, may be traced back to the 8th century |
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National holiday:
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Coronation Day of Pope JOHN PAUL II, 22 October (1978) |
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Constitution:
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Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968) |
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Legal system:
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based on Code of Canon Law and revisions to it |
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Suffrage:
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limited to cardinals less than 80 years old |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: Pope JOHN PAUL II (since 16 October 1978)
head of government: Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo SODANO (since 2 December 1990) cabinet: Pontifical Commission appointed by the pope elections: pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the pope election results: Karol WOJTYLA elected pope |
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral Pontifical Commission |
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Judicial branch:
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there are three tribunals responsible for civil and criminal matters within Vatican City; three other tribunals rule on issues pertaining to the Holy See
note: judicial duties were established by the Motu Proprio of Pius XII on 1 May 1946 |
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Political parties and leaders:
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none |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers) |
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International organization participation:
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CE (observer), IAEA, ICFTU, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WHO (observer), WIPO, WToO (observer), WTrO (observer) |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief of mission: Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Gabriel MONTALVO
FAX: [1] (202) 337-4036 telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121 chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador R. James "Jim" NICHOLSON
embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00162 Rome mailing address: PSC 59, Box F, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (06) 4674-3428 FAX: [39] (06) 5758346 |
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Flag description:
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two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter centered in the white band |
ECONOMY
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Economy - overview:
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This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by an annual tax on Roman Catholic dioceses throughout the world, as well as by special collections (known as Peter's Pence); the sale of postage stamps, coins, medals, and tourist mementos; fees for admission to museums; and the sale of publications. Investments and real estate income also account for a sizable portion of revenue. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome. |
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Population below poverty line:
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NA% |
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
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Labor force:
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NA |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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essentially services with a small amount of industry; note - dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers live outside the Vatican |
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Budget:
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revenues: $173.5 million
expenditures: $176.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001) |
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Industries:
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printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps, a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities |
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Electricity - production:
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NA kWh |
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Electricity - consumption:
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NA kWh |
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Electricity - imports:
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NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Italy |
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Economic aid - recipient:
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none |
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Currency:
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euro (EUR) |
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Currency code:
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EUR |
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Exchange rates:
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euros per US dollar - 1.0626 1.1324 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999) |
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Fiscal year:
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calendar year |