Editing Vatican City (section)

== Governance ==
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{{Main|Politics of Vatican City}}

The politics of Vatican City takes place in the context of an [[absolute monarchy|absolute]] [[elective monarchy]] and being governed by the [[Holy See]], in which the head of the Catholic Church holds power. The pope exercises principal legislative, executive, and judicial power over the State of Vatican City, which is a rare case of a non-hereditary monarchy.

=== State and Holy See ===
The Vatican City State, created in 1929 by the [[Lateran Pacts]], provides the Holy See with a temporal jurisdiction and independence within a small territory. It is distinct from the Holy See. The state can thus be deemed a significant but not essential instrument of the Holy See. The Holy See itself has existed continuously as a juridical entity since Roman Imperial times and has been internationally recognized as a powerful and independent sovereign entity since [[Late Antiquity]] to the present, without interruption even at times when it was deprived of territory (e.g. 1870 to 1929).

Vatican City is one of the few widely recognized independent states that has not become a member of the [[United Nations]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Section |first=United Nations News Service |date=7 February 2017 |title=UN News – FEATURE: Diplomacy of the conscience – The Holy See at the United Nations |url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=56121#.WnNenpM-dsM |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202202155/http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=56121#.WnNenpM-dsM |archive-date=2 February 2018 |access-date=1 February 2018 |website=UN News Service Section |language=en}}</ref> The Holy See, which is distinct from Vatican City State, has [[United Nations General Assembly observers|permanent observer status]], with all the rights of a full member except for a vote in the [[UN General Assembly]].

=== Structure ===
{{see also|Pontificate}}
[[File:Papa León XIV cropped.png|thumb|upright|[[Pope Leo XIV]], 2025]]

The government of Vatican City has a unique structure. As governed by the Holy See, the Pope is the sovereign of the state, but he is supported by different bodies. Legislative authority is managed, in the pope's name, by the [[Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State]], a body of cardinals appointed by the pope for five-year periods. Executive power is exercised by the [[President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State|president of that commission]], who is consequently also the president of the governorate, assisted by the general secretary and the deputy general secretary.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 December 2017 |title=Origini e nature |trans-title=Origins and nature |url=https://www.vaticanstate.va/it/stato-governo/note-generali/origini-natura.html |access-date=23 May 2024 |publisher=Vatican City Directorate of Telecommunications and Computer Services |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=3 July 2018 |title=Organi dello Stato |trans-title=State bodies |url=https://www.vaticanstate.va/it/stato-governo/organi-stato/organi-dello-stato.html |access-date=23 May 2024 |publisher=Vatican City Directorate of Telecommunications and Computer Services |language=it}}</ref> The state's foreign relations are entrusted to the Holy See's [[Secretariat of State (Holy See)|Secretariat of State]] and diplomatic service.

Nevertheless, the pope has absolute power in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches over Vatican City,<ref name="Vatican City">{{Cite web |title=Vatican City |url=https://www.catholic-pages.com/vatican/vatican_city.asp |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070504093117/http://www.catholic-pages.com/vatican/vatican_city.asp |archive-date=4 May 2007 |access-date=4 March 2007 |publisher=Catholic-Pages.com}}</ref>
and is thus the only [[Absolute monarchy|absolute monarch]] in Europe.<ref>"[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Learning-with-the-Times-7-nations-still-under-absolute-monarchy/articleshow/3692953.cms Learning with the Times: 7 Nation Still Under Absolute Monarchy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212153657/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/learning-with-the-times-7-nations-still-under-absolute-monarchy/articleshow/3692953.cms |date=12 December 2023 }}", ''The Times of India'', published 10 November 2008. Retrieved 27 December 2020.</ref>

Operationally, there are departments that deal with health, security, telecommunications and other matters.<ref name="Vatican City" />

==== Sede vacante ====
The [[Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church|Cardinal Camerlengo]] presides over the [[Apostolic Camera]], to which is entrusted the administration of the property and protection of other [[temporal power (papal)|papal temporal powers and rights]] of the Holy See during the period of the empty throne or [[sede vacante]] (papal vacancy).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Visceglia |first=Maria Antonietta |title=Royal Courts in Dynastic States and Empires |date=1 January 2011 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=9789004206236 |pages=237–264 |chapter=The Pope's Household And Court In The Early Modern Age |doi=10.1163/ej.9789004206229.i-444.57 |access-date=24 February 2023 |chapter-url=https://brill.com/display/book/edcoll/9789004206236/Bej.9789004206229.i-444_012.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224233528/https://brill.com/display/book/edcoll/9789004206236/Bej.9789004206229.i-444_012.xml |archive-date=24 February 2023 |url-status=live |doi-access=free}}</ref> Those of the Vatican State remain under the control of the [[Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State]]. Acting with three other cardinals chosen by lot every three days, one from each order of cardinals ([[cardinal bishop]], [[cardinal priest]], and [[cardinal deacon]]), he in a sense performs during that period the functions of head of state of Vatican City.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Universi Dominici Gregis (February 22, 1996) {{!}} John Paul II |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_22021996_universi-dominici-gregis.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122152903/https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_22021996_universi-dominici-gregis.html |archive-date=22 November 2019 |access-date=14 December 2022 |website=The Holy See}}</ref> All the decisions these four cardinals take must be approved by the [[College of Cardinals]] as a whole.

==== Papal nobility ====
{{Main|Papal nobility}}

The nobility that was closely associated with the Holy See at the time of the Papal States continued to be associated with the Papal Court after the loss of these territories, generally with merely nominal duties (see [[Master of the Horse#Papal Master of the Horse|Papal Master of the Horse]], [[Prefecture of the Pontifical Household]], [[Hereditary officers of the Roman Curia]], [[Black Nobility]]). They also formed the ceremonial [[Noble Guard]]. In the first decades of the existence of the Vatican City State, [[Executive (government)|executive functions]] were entrusted to some of them, including that of delegate for the State of Vatican City, now denominated president of the Commission for Vatican City. With the [[motu proprio]] ''[[Pontificalis Domus]]'' of March 1968,<ref>{{Citation |title=Pontificalis Domus |url=https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_p-vi_motu-proprio_19680328_pontificalis-domus_lt.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112075641/http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_p-vi_motu-proprio_19680328_pontificalis-domus_lt.html |archive-date=12 January 2014}}</ref> [[Pope Paul VI]] abolished the honorary positions that had continued to exist until then, such as [[Quartermaster general]] and [[Master of the Horse]].

=== Head of state ===
{{Main|Pope|President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State}}
{{See also|List of Sovereigns of the Vatican City State}}

[[File:20070610 Rome 29.jpg|thumb|The [[Apostolic Palace]] (''Palazzo Apostolico''), the official residence of the Pope. Here, [[Benedict XVI]] is at the window marked by a maroon banner hanging from the windowsill at centre.]]

As Vatican City is governed by the [[Holy See]], the pope is [[Ex officio member|''ex officio'']] the [[head of state]],<ref>One of the titles of the Pope listed in the ''[[Annuario Pontificio]]'' is "[[List of Sovereigns of the Vatican City State|Sovereign of Vatican City State]]" (page 23* in recent editions).</ref> a function dependent on his primordial function as bishop of the [[diocese of Rome]] and head of the [[Catholic Church]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 October 2021 |title=In Biden's visit with the pope, a page from Reagan's playbook? |url=https://theconversation.com/in-bidens-visit-with-the-pope-a-page-from-reagans-playbook-170077 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220507183342/https://theconversation.com/in-bidens-visit-with-the-pope-a-page-from-reagans-playbook-170077 |archive-date=7 May 2022 |access-date=8 May 2022 |website=www.theconversation.com}}</ref> The term "Holy See" refers not to the Vatican state but to the pope's spiritual and pastoral governance, largely exercised through the [[Roman Curia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Code of Canon Law: text – IntraText CT |url=https://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P19.HTM |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009091217/http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P19.HTM |archive-date=9 October 2020 |access-date=3 August 2020}}</ref> His official title with regards to Vatican City is ''Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City''.

[[Pope Leo XIV]], born Robert Francis Prevost in [[Chicago]], United States, was [[2025 papal conclave|elected]] on 8 May 2025. His principal subordinate government official for Vatican City as well as the country's ''[[de facto]]'' [[head of government]] is the [[President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State]], who since 1952 exercises the functions previously belonging to the [[Governor of Vatican City]]. Since 2001, the president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State also has the title of president of the Governorate of the State of Vatican City. The president is the Italian sister [[Raffaella Petrini]], who was appointed was appointed by [[Pope Francis]] on 1 March 2025,<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 February 2025 |title=Pope Francis appoints an Italian nun as the first woman governor of Vatican City |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/02/15/woman-governor-vatican-city-249941 |access-date=11 May 2025 |website=America Magazine |language=en}}</ref> and was reconfirmed by [[Pope Leo XIV]] on 9 May 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Review |first=Global Banking and Finance |date=9 May 2025 |title=Pope Leo temporarily confirms Vatican heads in current roles |url=https://www.globalbankingandfinance.com/POPE-LEO-VATICAN-fd81d996-a441-4092-8c80-fa1926f8a5cd |access-date=11 May 2025 |website=Global Banking And Finance Review |language=en}}</ref>

=== Government and justice ===
{{See also|Politics of Vatican City|Law of Vatican City}}
[[File:Palace of the Governorate. Vatican City State..jpg|thumb|The [[Governor's Palace, Vatican|Palace of the Governorate of Vatican City State]]]]

[[Legislature|Legislative]] functions are administered by the pope, but are also delegated to the [[Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State]], led by the [[President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State]]. Its members are cardinals appointed by the Pope for terms of five years. {{citation needed span|date=May 2024|Acts of the commission must be approved by the Pope, through the Holy See's [[Secretariat of State (Holy See)|Secretariat of State]],}} and must be published in a special appendix of the ''[[Acta Apostolicae Sedis]]''. {{citation needed span|date=May 2024|Most of the content of this appendix consists of routine executive decrees, such as approval for a new set of postage stamps.}}

[[Executive (government)|Executive authority]] is delegated to the president of the Governorate of Vatican City, who is also the president of the Pontificial Commission. In addition, the Governorate include two immediate collaborators of the president: the general secretary and the deputy general secretary, members of the General Secretariat, {{citation needed span|date=May 2024|each appointed by the pope for five-year terms.}} {{citation needed span|date=May 2024|Important actions of the Governorate must be confirmed by the Pontifical Commission and by the Pope through the Secretariat of State.}}

Both the [[Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State]] and the president of the Governorate of Vatican City can be assisted by the Councilors of Vatican City State in drafting legislation and other important issues. The president of the Governorate can convoke the members of the Council of Directors, together with external experts and people. The Governorate oversees the central governmental functions through several departments and offices.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 March 2019 |title=Segreteria Generale |trans-title=General Secretariat |url=https://www.vaticanstate.va/it/stato-governo/struttura-del-governatorato/segreteria-generale.html |access-date=23 May 2024 |website=vaticanstate.va |publisher=Vatican City Directorate of Telecommunications and Computer Services |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Organi del potere legislativo ed esecutivo |trans-title=Executive and legislative bodies |url=https://www.vaticanstate.va/it/stato-governo/organi-stato/organi-potere-legislativo-ed-esecutivo.html |access-date=23 May 2024 |website=vaticanstate.va |publisher=Vatican City Directorate of Telecommunications and Computer Services |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 March 2019 |title=Consiglio dei Direttori |trans-title=Council of Directors |url=https://www.vaticanstate.va/it/stato-governo/struttura-del-governatorato/consiglio-dei-direttori.html |access-date=23 May 2024 |website=vaticanstate.va |publisher=Vatican City Directorate of Telecommunications and Computer Services |language=it}}</ref> {{citation needed span|date=May 2024|The directors and officials of these offices are appointed by the Pope for five-year terms.}}

The Governorate is organized into central offices, one for law and another for personnel matters, and directorates with roles in the following matters:
* [[Infrastructure]] and [[Public service|services]]
* [[Telecommunications]] and [[information technology|computer services]]
* [[Law enforcement|Security services]] and [[civil defense|civil protection]]
* [[Health]] and [[hygiene]]
* [[Museum]]s and [[cultural heritage]]
* Pontifical villas<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 March 2019 |title=Uffici centrali |trans-title=Central offices |url=https://www.vaticanstate.va/it/stato-governo/struttura-del-governatorato/uffici-centrali.html |access-date=23 May 2024 |website=vaticanstate.va |publisher=Vatican City Directorate of Telecommunications and Computer Services |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 July 2018 |title=Direzioni |trans-title=Directorates |url=https://www.vaticanstate.va/it/stato-governo/struttura-del-governatorato/direzioni.html |access-date=23 May 2024 |website=vaticanstate.va |publisher=Vatican City Directorate of Telecommunications and Computer Services |language=it}}</ref>

There are subsidiary bodies for [[Vatican euro coins|monetary]], disciplinary, personnel and personnel selection matters.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 March 2019 |title=Organismi ausiliari |trans-title=Subsidiary bodies |url=https://www.vaticanstate.va/it/stato-governo/struttura-del-governatorato/organismi-scientifici.html |access-date=23 May 2024 |website=vaticanstate.va |publisher=Vatican City Directorate of Telecommunications and Computer Services |language=it}}</ref>

In the pope's name, [[judiciary]] functions ([[Law of Vatican City#Judiciary|Vatican judiciary]]) are exercised by four bodies: a Supreme Court, a Court of Appeal, a Tribunal and a Sole Judge, whose roles are established by the Vatican codes of criminal and civil procedure, and the 2013 "[[Motu Proprio|''Motu Proprio'']] On the Jurisdiction of Judicial Authorities of Vatican City State in Criminal Matters".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Organi del potere giudiziario |trans-title=Judiciary bodies |url=https://www.vaticanstate.va/it/stato-governo/organi-stato/organi-potere-giudiziario.html |access-date=23 May 2024 |website=vaticanstate.va |publisher=Vatican City Directorate of Telecommunications and Computer Services |language=it}}</ref> At the Vatican's request, sentences imposed can be served in Italy (see the [[#Crime|section on crime]], below).

Due to obvious territorial constraints, many [[headquarters]] and offices of the [[Holy See]] are located on [[Italy|Italian]] territory. They are granted the same immunity as [[diplomatic mission]]s thanks to the [[Lateran Treaty]] and are commonly defined as "[[Properties of the Holy See|extraterritorial]] areas".<ref name="geo">{{Cite web |date=21 December 2017 |title=Geografia |trans-title=Geography |url=https://www.vaticanstate.va/it/stato-governo/note-generali/geografia.html |access-date=23 May 2024 |website=vaticanstate.va |publisher=Vatican City Directorate of Telecommunications and Computer Services |language=it}}</ref>

=== National and public security ===
{{Main|Military in Vatican City|Pontifical Swiss Guard|Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City|Corps of Firefighters of the Vatican City State}}
[[File:20160424 035 Roma - Città del Vaticano - Piazza San Pietro (26436304050).jpg|thumb|A guard of the Vatican at his sentry box]]

As Vatican City is an enclave within Italy, its military defence is provided by the [[Italian Armed Forces]]. There is no formal defence treaty with Italy, as Vatican City is a [[neutral state]]. Vatican City has no armed forces of its own, although the [[Swiss Guard]] is a military corps of the Holy See responsible for the personal security of the Pope, and residents in the state. Soldiers of the Swiss Guard are entitled to hold [[Vatican City State passport]]s and nationality.<ref name=geo/>

Swiss mercenaries were historically recruited by Popes as part of an army for the Papal States. The [[Pontifical Swiss Guard]] was founded by [[Pope Julius II]] on 22 January 1506 as the Pope's personal bodyguard and continues to fulfill that function. It is listed in the ''[[Annuario Pontificio]]'' under "Holy See", not under "State of Vatican City". In 2005, the Guard had 134 members. Recruitment is arranged by a special agreement between the Holy See and Switzerland.<ref name=geo/>

All recruits must be Catholic, unmarried males with Swiss citizenship who have completed their [[basic training]] with the [[Swiss Armed Forces]] with certificates of good conduct, be between the ages of 19 and 30, and be at least {{convert|174|cm|ftin|0|abbr=on}} in height. Members are equipped with [[small arms]] and the traditional [[halberd]], and trained in bodyguarding tactics. Together with the [[Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City]], the [[Swiss Guard]] have roles in the Italy-Vatican [[border control]].<ref name=geo/> The [[Palatine Guard]] and the [[Noble Guard (Vatican)|Noble Guard]], the last armed forces of the Vatican City State, were disbanded by [[Pope Paul VI]] in 1970.<ref name="Vatican State">{{Cite web |title=Vatican City Today |url=https://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/History/Vatican_City_today.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211020340/https://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/History/Vatican_City_today.htm |archive-date=11 December 2007 |access-date=28 November 2007 |publisher=Vatican City Government}}</ref>

As the entire territory of Vatican City has been listed on the International Register of Cultural Property under Special Protection and, in 1984, among [[World Heritage Site]]s, the [[Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict]] provides international legal protection against [[war|armed conflicts]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Duursma |first=Jorri C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CgVDprXjkIYC&pg=PA396 |title=Fragmentation and the International Relations of Micro-states: Self-determination and Statehood |date=1996 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-56360-4 |page=396 |access-date=9 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414053158/https://books.google.com/books?id=CgVDprXjkIYC&pg=PA396 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=3 July 2018 |title=Extraterritorialità |trans-title=Extraterritoriality |url=https://www.vaticanstate.va/it/stato-governo/note-generali/etraterritorialita.html |access-date=23 May 2024 |website=vaticanstate.va |publisher=Vatican City Directorate of Telecommunications and Computer Services |language=it}}</ref> A large part of the [[historical document]]s of the very extensive [[Vatican Apostolic Archive]] is stored in the "Bunker", which was inaugurated in 1980, a two-storey reinforced concrete vault, under the [[Cortile della Pigna]], equipped with systems for [[fire protection]], [[Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning|climate and humidity control]], and [[physical security]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bunker and storerooms |url=https://www.archivioapostolicovaticano.va/content/aav/en/l-archivio/ambienti/bunker-e-depositi.html |access-date=24 May 2024 |publisher=Vatican Apostolic Archive}}</ref>

[[File:Vaticano - Smart elettrica Gendarmeria 20231230.jpg|thumb|A [[Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City|Vatican gendarmerie]] car]]

Civil defence is the responsibility of the [[Corps of Firefighters of the Vatican City State]], the national [[fire brigade]]. Dating its origins to the early nineteenth century, the Corps in its present form was established in 1941. It is responsible for fire fighting, and civil defence scenarios including flooding, natural disasters, and [[mass casualty incident]]s. The Corps is governmentally supervised through the Directorate for Security Services and Civil Defence, which is also responsible for the Gendarmerie (see below).

The [[Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City|Gendarmerie Corps]] (''Corpo della Gendarmeria'') is the [[gendarmerie]], or police and security force, of Vatican City and the [[extraterritorial properties of the Holy See]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Corpo della Gendarmeria |url=https://www.vaticanstate.va/IT/Servizi/Direzione_SdS_VVFF/corpo_della_gendarmeria.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121225094441/https://www.vaticanstate.va/IT/Servizi/Direzione_SdS_VVFF/corpo_della_gendarmeria.htm |archive-date=25 December 2012 |access-date=15 January 2013 |publisher=Stato della Città del Vaticano |language=it}}</ref> The corps is responsible for security, [[Public-order crime|public order]], [[border control]], [[road traffic control|traffic control]], [[criminal procedure|criminal investigation]], and other general police duties in Vatican City including providing security for the pope outside Vatican City. The corps has 130 personnel and is a part of the Directorate for Security Services and Civil Defence (which also includes the Vatican Fire Brigade), an organ of the Governorate of Vatican City.<ref name="Gendarme">{{Cite web |date=2007 |title=Gendarme Corps |url=https://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/Structure_Governorate/Gendarme_Corps.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023001945/https://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/Structure_Governorate/Gendarme_Corps.htm |archive-date=23 October 2007 |access-date=15 October 2007 |publisher=Office of the President of Vatican City State}}</ref><ref name="Administrations">{{Cite web |date=2007 |title=Administrations and Central Offices |url=https://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/Structure_Governorate/Administrations_and_Central_Offices.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023001914/https://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/Structure_Governorate/Administrations_and_Central_Offices.htm |archive-date=23 October 2007 |access-date=15 October 2007 |publisher=Office of the President of Vatican City State}}</ref>

Even though [[St. Peter's Square|St Peter's Square]] is part of Vatican territory, it is normally safeguarded by [[Law enforcement in Italy|Italian police forces]].<ref name=geo/>

==== Crime ====
{{Main|Crime in Vatican City}}
[[File:Crowds in St. Peter's Square.jpg|thumb|The crowds of tourists in [[St. Peter's Square]] are a target for pickpockets.]]

Crime in Vatican City consists largely of purse snatching, [[pickpocketing]] and [[shoplifting]] by outsiders.<ref name="crime rate">{{Cite news |date=8 January 2003 |title=Vatican crime rate 'soars' |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2639777.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080108222354/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2639777.stm |archive-date=8 January 2008 |access-date=28 November 2007 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> The tourist foot-traffic in [[St. Peter's Square|St Peter's Square]] is one of the main locations for pickpockets in Vatican City.<ref>{{Citation |title=Vatican surpasses all nations... in pickpockets? |date=14 February 2011 |work=Rome Reports |url=https://www.romereports.com/palio/vatican-surpasses-all-nations-in-pickpockets-english-3545.html#.UPt_Wc0hclk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115144215/https://www.romereports.com/palio/Vatican-surpasses-all-nations-in-pickpockets-english-3545.html |archive-date=15 November 2012}}</ref> If crimes are committed in the square, the perpetrators may be arrested and tried by the Italian authorities, since that area is normally patrolled by Italian police.<ref>Glatz, Carol (19 December 2013) [https://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2013/man-seriously-injured-after-setting-self-on-fire-in-st-peter-s-square.cfm "Man seriously injured after setting self on fire in St. Peter's Square"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621003837/https://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2013/man-seriously-injured-after-setting-self-on-fire-in-st-peter-s-square.cfm |date=21 June 2019 }}. ''Catholic News Service''</ref>

Under the Lateran Treaty,<ref name=Statute/> Italy will, at the request of the Holy See, punish individuals for crimes committed within the Vatican City and will itself proceed against the person who committed the offence, if that person takes refuge in Italian territory. Persons accused of crimes recognized as such both in Italy and in Vatican City that are committed in Italian territory will be handed over to the Italian authorities if they take refuge in the Vatican City or in buildings that enjoy immunity under the treaty.<ref name=Statute/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shea |first=Alison |date=2009 |title=Researching the Law of the Vatican City State |url=https://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/vatican1.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017130729/https://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/Vatican1.htm |archive-date=17 October 2013 |website=Hauser Global Law School Program |publisher=[[New York University School of Law]]}}</ref>

The Vatican City has no prison system, apart from a few detention cells for pre-trial detention.<ref>{{Citation |title=How Does Vatican City Deal With Criminals? |date=30 May 2012 |work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |url=https://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2012/05/paolo_gabriele_case_how_does_the_vatican_deal_with_criminals_.html |access-date=18 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824035613/http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2012/05/paolo_gabriele_case_how_does_the_vatican_deal_with_criminals_.html |archive-date=24 August 2018}}</ref> People convicted of committing crimes in the Vatican serve terms in Italian prisons ([[Polizia Penitenziaria]]), with costs covered by the Vatican.<ref>"[https://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,460967,00.html Is the Vatican a Rogue State?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406122805/http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,460967,00.html |date=6 April 2012 }}" ''[[Spiegel Online]]''. 19 January 2007. Retrieved 25 August 2010.</ref>

=== Foreign relations ===
{{See also|Foreign relations of the Holy See|List of diplomatic missions of the Holy See}}

[[File:Vatican City - main entrance with Swiss Guard.jpg|thumb|The ''Ingresso di Sant'Anna'', an entrance to Vatican City from Italy]]

Vatican City State is a recognized national territory under [[international law]]. The Holy See conducts diplomatic relations on its behalf, in addition to the Holy See's own diplomacy, entering into international agreements in its regard. Vatican City thus has no diplomatic service of its own.

Because of space limitations, Vatican City is one of the few countries in the world that are unable to host embassies. Foreign embassies to the Holy See are located in Rome. Only during the Second World War were the staff of some embassies accredited to the Holy See given what hospitality was possible within the narrow confines of Vatican City {{Ndash}} embassies such as that of the United Kingdom while Rome was held by the [[Axis Powers]] and Germany's when the Allies controlled Rome.

The size of Vatican City is unrelated to the large global reach exercised by the Holy See as an entity quite distinct from the state.<ref>{{Citation |title=The Holy See and Diplomacy |url=https://ukinholysee.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/news/2007/4485113/gregorian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090521105212/https://ukinholysee.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/news/2007/4485113/gregorian |archive-date=21 May 2009 |publisher=[[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]]}}</ref>

Vatican City State itself participates in some international organizations whose functions relate to the state as a geographical entity, distinct from the non-territorial legal persona of the Holy See. These organizations are much less numerous than those in which the Holy See participates either as a member or with observer status. They include the following eight, in each of which Vatican City State holds membership:<ref name="Participation">{{Citation |title=Vatican City State: Participation in International Organizations |url=https://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/Internationalrelations/Participation_with_international_Organizations.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710054455/https://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/Internationalrelations/Participation_with_international_Organizations.htm |archive-date=10 July 2010 |publisher=Vatican City State}}</ref><ref>See also appendix at end of [https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/documents/rc_seg-st_20010123_holy-see-relations_en.html "Bilateral Relations of the Holy See"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709142833/https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/documents/rc_seg-st_20010123_holy-see-relations_en.html |date=9 July 2014 }}. vatican.va</ref>
* [[European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations]] (CEPT)
* [[Eutelsat|European Telecommunications Satellite Organization]] (Eutelsat IGO)
* [[International Grains Council]] (IGC)
* [[International Institute of Administrative Sciences]] (IIAS)
* [[International Telecommunication Union]] (ITU)
* [[International Telecommunications Satellite Organization]] (ITSO)
* [[Interpol]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Membership Vatican City State |url=https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/Europe/Vatican-City-State |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010164743/https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/Europe/Vatican-City-State |archive-date=10 October 2017 |access-date=5 June 2012 |publisher=[[Interpol]]}}</ref>
* [[Universal Postal Union]] (UPU)

It also participates in:<ref name="Participation" />
* [[World Medical Association]]
* [[World Intellectual Property Organization]] (WIPO)

==== Non-party, non-signatory policy ====
[[File:United Nations members de facto borders.svg|thumb|A map of the [[United Nations]] member states]]

The Vatican City is not a member of the [[United Nations]] (UN), but the Holy See was granted [[United Nations General Assembly observers|observer status]] to the [[United Nations General Assembly]] in 1968; the only other country in a similar position is the partially recognized [[State of Palestine]]. Since it is not a member of the UN, the Vatican City is not subjected to the jurisdiction of the [[International Court of Justice]] (ICJ). It engages with UN specialized agencies through its observer status, including the [[Central Emergency Response Fund]], to which it contributed US$20,000 between 2006 and 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Contributions by donor |url=https://cerf.un.org/our-donors/contributions-by-donor |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807043845/https://cerf.un.org/our-donors/contributions-by-donor |archive-date=7 August 2022 |access-date=23 August 2022 |website=[[Central Emergency Response Fund]]}}</ref>

The Vatican City State is not a member of the [[International Criminal Court]] (ICC). In Europe, only [[Belarus]] is also a non-party, non-signatory state. [[Ukraine]] and [[Monaco]] are signatory states that have not ratified and [[Russia]] withdrew from it in 2016.

The Vatican City State is not a member of the [[Council of Europe]] nor a party to the [[European Convention on Human Rights]], thus is not subject to the [[European Court of Human Rights]]. Among European states, Belarus is also not a member, while Russia has ceased to be part of it after being expelled from the Council of Europe following the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]].

The [[OECD]]'s "[[Common Reporting Standard]]" (CRS), aiming at preventing [[tax evasion]] and [[money laundering]], has also not been signed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AEOI: Status of Commitments |url=https://www.oecd.org/tax/transparency/AEOI-commitments.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629140220/https://www.oecd.org/tax/transparency/AEOI-commitments.pdf |archive-date=29 June 2019 |access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jurisdictions participating in the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters |url=https://www.oecd.org/ctp/exchange-of-tax-information/Status_of_convention.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629140217/https://www.oecd.org/ctp/exchange-of-tax-information/Status_of_convention.pdf |archive-date=29 June 2019 |access-date=29 June 2019 |website=OECD}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Signatories of the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement on Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information and Intended First Information Exchange Date |url=https://www.oecd.org/tax/exchange-of-tax-information/MCAA-Signatories.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629140216/https://www.oecd.org/tax/exchange-of-tax-information/MCAA-Signatories.pdf |archive-date=29 June 2019 |access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> The Vatican City State has been criticized for money-laundering practices in the past decades.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pullella |first=Philip |date=8 December 2017 |title=Vatican should bring money-laundering cases to trial, watchdog agency says |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-vatican-financial-evaluation-idUSKBN1E20X8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602095231/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-vatican-financial-evaluation-idUSKBN1E20X8 |archive-date=2 June 2019 |access-date=29 June 2019 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Perryer |first=Sophie |date=20 November 2018 |title=Top 5 financial transgressions committed by the Vatican |url=https://www.europeanceo.com/finance/top-5-financial-transgressions-committed-by-the-vatican/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327132811/https://www.europeanceo.com/finance/top-5-financial-transgressions-committed-by-the-vatican/ |archive-date=27 March 2019 |access-date=29 June 2019 |website=European CEO |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Willey |first=David |date=18 July 2013 |title=The Vatican Bank is rocked by scandal again |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-23289297 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629142358/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-23289297 |archive-date=29 June 2019 |access-date=29 June 2019 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The only other country in Europe that has not agreed to sign the CRS is Belarus.

The Vatican City State is one of few countries in the world that do not provide any publicly available financial data to the [[International Monetary Fund]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=IMF Data Portal |url=https://data.imf.org |publisher=International Monetary Fund}}</ref>{{verification failed|reason=Ref is the home page of this website, it does not contain the information required to support the text|date=May 2025}}