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Vatican Page |
Welcome to ElectionInfo.com's pages on Vatican
Official Name: Holy See
Capital: Vatican City
Area: 0.44 square kilometres ( 0.17 square miles )
Population: 1,000 (1995 estimate)
Population growth rate: 1.1 per cent (1995 estimate)
Type of government: Monarchical-sacerdotal state
Independence: 11 February 1929 (from Italy)
Constitution: Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968)
Voting Rights: Limited to cardinals less than 80 years old
Government
The smallest country in the world, the Vatican City was established in 1929 under terms of the Lateran Treaty, concluded by the Italian government and the papacy after many years of controversy. This treaty was superseded in 1984 by a new concordat, which, like its predecessor, recognized the full sovereignty of the Holy See, the jurisdiction of the pope, within the state of the Vatican City.
The Vatican City is governed by the pope, who has absolute executive, legislative, and judicial powers. Executive powers are delegated to a governor, who is responsible directly to the pope. In the exercise of his legislative powers, the pope is advised and assisted by the Sacred College of Cardinals and by the various Sacred Congregations. Tribunals exercise judicial powers. Appeals from their decisions are heard by the sacred Roman Rota and by the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature. The Secretariat of State represents the Holy See in diplomatic relations with foreign powers.
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