CapitalVatican City
Population1,000
LanguagesItalian, Latin, French, various other languages
Currencyeuros
Governmentan ecclesiastical elective monarchy; self-identified as an "absolute monarchy."
Introduction
Background
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
Area
land
0.44 sq km
water
0 sq km
total
0 sq km
Climate
characterized by a temperate climate; winters are mild and rainy from September to May, while summers are hot and dry from May to September
Terrain
metropolitan; situated on a low hill
Land use
other
100% (2022 est.)
forest
0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land
0% (2022 est.)
Location
located in Southern Europe, it is an enclave within Rome, Italy
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Elevation
lowest point
Saint Peter's Square 19 m
highest point
Vatican Gardens (Vatican Hill) 78 m
Map references
Europe
Land boundaries
total
3.4 km
border countries
Italy 3.4 km
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Natural hazards
subject to occasional seismic activity
Geography - note
completely surrounded by land; an enclave located in Rome, Italy; recognized as the smallest country in the world
Natural resources
none
Area - comparative
approximately 0.7 times the area of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
41 54 N, 12 27 E
People & Society
Languages
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.
Religions
Roman Catholic
Population
total
1,000 (2024)
Nationality
noun
none
adjective
none
Urbanization
urban population
100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Ethnic groups
Individuals from Italy, Switzerland, Argentina, and various other nationalities globally (2017)
Population growth rate
0% (2014 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1,000 VATICAN CITY (capital) (2018)
Environment
Climate
characterized by moderate temperatures; featuring mild, precipitation-laden winters (September through May) and hot, arid summers (May through September)
Land use
other
100% (2022 est.)
forest
0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land
0% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Environmental issues
presence of certain air pollution originating from the nearby city of Rome
International environmental agreements
party to
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified
Air Pollution, Environmental Modification
Government
Flag
description: consists of two vertical stripes, one yellow on the left and one white, featuring the arms of the Holy See centered within the white section; these arms depict the crossed keys of Saint Peter beneath a three-tiered papal tiara.
meaning: yellow symbolizes the pope's spiritual authority, while white represents his temporal authority.
Capital
name
Vatican City
etymology
the term is derived from the hill known as Mons Vaticanus, where the Vatican is situated, originating from the Latin vates (prophet), which refers to the fortune tellers and soothsayers that visited the area during Roman times.
time difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time).
daylight saving time
+1hr, commences on the last Sunday in March; concludes on the last Sunday in October.
geographic coordinates
41 54 N, 12 27 E
Suffrage
election of the pope is limited to cardinals under 80 years old
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
no
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
not applicable
Constitution
history
previously in 1929, 2000; most recently issued by Pope FRANCIS on 13 May 2023, effective from 7 June 2023 (Fundamental Law of Vatican City State, the primary governing document for the Vatican's civil entities); the Roman Curia functions as the administrative body—comprising departments and ministries—employed by the pontiff to govern the church.
amendment process
while the Fundamental Law of Vatican City State does not address amendments, Article Four (pertaining to the drafting of laws) indicates that this legislative function lies with the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State; proposed legislation is forwarded through the Secretariat of State and reviewed by the pope.
Country name
etymology
"holy" is derived from the Greek term hera, meaning "sacred"; "see" originates from the Latin sedes, which translates to "seat," and pertains to the episcopal chair; the designation Vatican is taken from the hill Mons Vaticanus, which derives from the Latin vates (prophet), referencing the fortune tellers and soothsayers that frequented the region in ancient Rome.
local long form
La Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)
local short form
Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)
conventional long form
The Holy See (Vatican City State)
conventional short form
Holy See (Vatican City)
Independence
11 February 1929
Legal system
a religious framework based on canon (religious) law.
Government type
an ecclesiastical elective monarchy; self-identified as an "absolute monarchy."
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court or Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura (comprises the cardinal prefect, who acts as the ex-officio president of the court, along with two additional cardinals of the Prefect Signatura).
subordinate courts
Appellate Court of Vatican City; Tribunal of Vatican City.
judge selection and term of office
the cardinal prefect is appointed by the pope; the other two cardinals of the court are selected by the cardinal prefect annually.
Executive branch
cabinet
Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City appointed by the pope
chief of state
Pope LEO XIV (since 8 May 2025)
election results
2025: Robert PREVOST elected Pope LEO XIV
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)
election/appointment process
the pope is elected by the College of Cardinals, typically serving for life or until a voluntary resignation; the Secretary of State is appointed by the pope.
National color(s)
yellow, white
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.
Political parties
none
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
7
legislature name
Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City (Pontificia Commissione per lo Stato della Citta del Vaticano)
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
22 September 2018
percentage of women in chamber
0%
National anthem(s)
title
“Hymnus Pontificius" (Pontifical Anthem)
history
adopted 1949
lyrics/music
Raffaello LAVAGNA/Charles-Francois GOUNOD
National symbol(s)
crossed keys under a papal tiara
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 337-4036
chancery
3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 333-7121
chief of mission
Apostolic Nuncio Cardinal Christophe PIERRE (since 27 June 2016)
email address and website
[email protected]
http://www.nuntiususa.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[39] (06) 4674-3411
embassy
Via Sallustiana, 49, 00187 Rome
telephone
[39] (06) 4674-1
mailing address
5660 Holy See Place, Washington DC 20521-5660.
chief of mission
Ambassador Brian Francis BURCH II (since 13 September 2025)
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)
International law organization participation
has not submitted a declaration for ICJ jurisdiction; not a party state to the ICCt.
Economy
Industries
the process of printing; the manufacture of coins, medals, and postage stamps; creation of mosaics, staff apparel; global banking and financial operations
Exchange rates
Currency
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
0.876 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
0.845 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
0.95 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
0.925 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
0.924 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
an economy that is limited and relies on tourism; uses the euro while having its own minted coins; generates commemorative stamps, coins, and publications to support museums and fulfill religious requirements; residents are exempt from direct taxes; a “zero deficit” initiative aimed at resolving budgetary deficits
Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2021)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
87% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
The Vatican Television Center (CTV) provides live coverage of the Pope's weekly audiences and his public ceremonies; in addition, CTV creates documentaries. Vatican Radio serves as the official broadcasting entity using shortwave, AM, and FM bands, along with satellite and online platforms; the Vatican News website collaborates with Vatican Radio to deliver Catholic news from the Vatican (2021)
Internet country code
.va
Transportation
Heliports
1 (2025)
Military & Security
Military - note
the defense is under the jurisdiction of Italy
Military and security forces
the Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera Pontificia) functions as the de facto military entity of Vatican City; the Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City (Corpo della Gendarmeriais) acts as a police organization that supports the Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps during papal events, in addition to offering general security, managing traffic, and conducting investigative responsibilities for the Vatican City State (2025)
Military service age and obligation
Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps: voluntary military service is open to individuals aged 19 to 30; no mandatory conscription; applicants must be single Roman Catholic males who hold Swiss citizenship, have completed basic military training in Switzerland, and can provide a certificate of good conduct; eligible candidates are required to submit an application to serve; service contracts range from 2 to 25 years (2025)
