World Factbook
Vatican City
La Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: two vertical bands of yellow (left side) and white, with the arms of the Holy See centered in the white band; the arms show the crossed keys of Saint Peter under the three-tiered papal tiara meaning: yellow stands for the pope's spiritual power, and white for his worldly power
Capital
name
Vatican City
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
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
geographic coordinates
41 54 N, 12 27 E
Suffrage
election of the pope is limited to cardinals under 80 years old
Citizenship
note
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
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
no
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
not applicable
Constitution
history
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
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
Country name
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
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
note: the three treaties signed with Italy on 11 February 1929 acknowledged the full sovereignty of the Holy See and established its territorial extent, but the origin of the Papal States, which over centuries varied considerably in extent, can be traced back to A.D. 754
Legal system
religious system based on canon (religious) law
Government type
ecclesiastical elective monarchy; self-described as an "absolute monarchy"
Judicial branch
note
note: the Motu Proprio (papal directive) of Pope PIUS XII established judicial duties on 1 May 1946; most Vatican City criminal matters are handled by the Republic of Italy courts
highest court(s)
Supreme Court or Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura (consists of the cardinal prefect, who serves as ex-officio president of the court, and 2 other cardinals of the Prefect Signatura)
subordinate courts
Appellate Court of Vatican City; Tribunal of Vatican City
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
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
pope elected by the College of Cardinals, usually for life or until voluntary resignation; Secretary of State 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
nuntiususa@nuntiususa.org 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 an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt