Names: (Digraph: VT)
The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)
Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)
Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)
Type: monarchical-sacerdotal state
Independence: 11 February 1929 (from Italy)
National holiday: Installation Day of the Pope, 22 October (1978) (John Paul II)
Note: Pope John Paul II was elected on 16 October 1978
Defence: Defense is the responsibility of Italy; Swiss Papal Guards are posted at entrances to the Vatican City
Constitution: Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968)
Suffrage: limited to cardinals less than 80 years old
Chief of state: Pope JOHN PAUL II (Karol WOJTYLA; since 16 October 1978); election last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); results - Karol WOJTYLA was elected for life by the College of Cardinals
Head of government: Secretary of State Archbishop Angelo Cardinal SODANO (since NA 1991)
Cabinet: Pontifical Commission; appointed by Pope
Legislative branch: Unicameral Pontifical Commission
Judicial branch: Handled by Italy
Member of: IAEA, ICFTU, INTELSAT, IOM (observer), ITU, OAS (observer), OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WIPO, WTO (observer)
Chief of mission: Apostolic Pro-Nuncio Archbishop Agostino CACCIAVILLAN
Chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121
Chief of mission: Ambassador Raymond L. FLYNN
Embassy: Via Delle Terme Deciane 26, Rome 00153
Mailing address: PSC 59, APO AE 09624
Telephone: [39] (6) 46741
FAX: [39] (6) 6380159
Flag: Yellow and white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter on the white band
Railroads: 862 meters; connects to Italy's network at Rome's Saint Peter's station
Narrow gauge: 862 meters 1.435-m gauge
Ports, Airports: None (landlocked)
Overview: This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by contributions (known as Peter's Pence) from Roman Catholics throughout the world, the sale of postage stamps and tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, and the sale of publications. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to, or somewhat better than, those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome.
Budget, Revenue: $169 million with Expenditures: $167.5 million (1993)
Electricity: 5,000 kW standby (Power supplied by Italy)
Industries: Printing and production of a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities
Currency: 1 Vatican lira (VLit) = 100 centesimi
Exchange rates: Vatican lire (VLit) per US$1 - 1,609.5 (January 1995), 1,612.4 (1994), 1,573.7 (1993), 1,232.4 (1992), 1,240.6 (1991), 1,198.1 (1990); note - the Vatican lira is at par with the Italian lira which circulates freely
Area: Land area: 0.44 sq km, shares 3.2km of boundry with Italy
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Terrain: low hill
Natural resources: None
Arable land: 0%
Forest and woodland: 0%
Climate: Temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with hot, dry summers (May to September)
International agreements: Signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution, Environmental Modification
Note: Urban; enclave of Rome; world's smallest state; outside the Vatican City, 13 buildings in Rome and Castel Gandolfo (the pope's summer residence) enjoy extraterritorial rights
Population: 830 (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.15% (1995 est.)
Birth|Death rate: None
Ethnic divisions: Italians, Swiss
Religions: Roman Catholic
Languages: Italian, Latin, various other languages
Labor force by occupation: Dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers who live outside the Vatican
I actually thought the Pope was closer to 100, but nonetheless he celebrated his Eightieth (82th) birthday a few days ago (in March 2002).
Ooh, look there he is, with FBI-looking Italian bodyguards (all White) in a huge crowd of well dressed white Italians and white tourists. His robes, however, despite appearances, are the traditional blood red of the Catholic Church. Well, they should be.