Government and Politics

Government and Politics of Holy See

Government structure, leadership, capital, military, and national symbols of Holy See.

Government Structure

Constitutional foundations, branches, parties, and leadership.

Citizenship: Citizenship by birth: No Citizenship by descent only: No Dual citizenship recognized: No Residency requirement for naturalization: Not applicable 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
Executive Branch: chief of state: Pope FRANCIS (since 13 March 2013) head of government: Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro PAROLIN (since 15 October 2013) cabinet: Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, appointed by the pope elections: Pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election last held 13 March 2013 (next to be held following the death or resignation of the incumbent pope); Secretary of State appointed by the pope election results: Jorge Mario BERGOGLIO elected Pope FRANCIS
Legislative Branch: unicameral Pontifical Commission
Judicial Branch: there are three tribunals responsible for civil and criminal matters within Vatican City; three other tribunals rule on issues pertaining to the Holy See note: judicial duties were established by the Motu Proprio of Pope PIUS XII on 1 May 1946
Head of State: Pope BENEDICT XVI
Head of Government: Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio BERTONE
Cabinet: Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City appointed by the pope
Elections: pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election last held 19 April 2005 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the pope
Election Results: Joseph RATZINGER elected Pope BENEDICT XVI
Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.: chief of mission: Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Pietro SAMBI chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121 FAX: [1] (202) 337-4036
U.S. Diplomatic Representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Francis ROONEY embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00153 Rome mailing address: PSC 59, Box 66, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (06) 4674-3428 FAX: [39] (06) 575-8346

Capital City

Seat of government and political history.

Capital City: Vatican City
Location: 41 54 N, 12 27 E
Time Difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
History: The term "Vatican" derives from the hill Mons Vaticanus on which the Vatican is located and which comes from the Latin "vaticinari" (to prophesy), referring to the fortune tellers and soothsayers who frequented the area in Roman times

Military

Branches, service obligations, expenditures, and manpower.

Military Branches: Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera Pontificia)
Service Age and Obligation: Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera Pontificia): 19-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; must be Roman Catholic, a Swiss citizen, with a secondary education

National Symbols

Flag, anthem, and other symbols of national identity.

National Flag

Flag History: A flag of this design was introduced as the merchant flag of the Pontifical State at the beginning of the 19th century. The colors are those of the keys of St. Peter, which are the keys to the kingdom of heaven and a symbol of papal authority. The crossed keys with the papal tiara have been the emblem of the papal state since the 14th century. Although the official proportions are 1:1, the actual flag flown in the Vatican City are 2:3.

National Anthem

Anthem Lyrics: Inn e Marcia Pontificale (Hymn and Pontifical March) Inno(Hymn) Roma, immortale di Martrie di santi, Roma,immortale accogli nostri canti Gloria nei cielli a Dionostri Signore Paceai Fedeli,di Cristo nel l'amore A, Teve diamo, Angelico Pastore, In, Teve diamo il_ mite Redentore, E, rede Santo di verae sana Fede Confortoe vanto a chi combate crede Non, prevaran, no la forza ed il terrore Ma, regneranno la Verita l'amore! Marcia Pontificale (Pontifical March) Salve, Salve Roma, patria eterna di memorie, Cantano le tue glorie, mile palme e mile altari. Roma degli Apostoli, Madre e guida dei Redenti, Roma luce delle genti, il mondo spera inte! Salve,Salve Roma, la tua luce non tra monta, Vince l'o dioe l'onta lo splendor di tua belta. Roma de gli Apostoli, Madre e duida dei Redenti, Roma luce delle genti, il mondo spera in te!
Anthem Lyrics (English): Rome immortal, city of martyrs and saints, Immortal Rome, accept our praises. Glory in the heavens to God our Lord And peace to the men who love Christ! To you we come, angelic Pastor, In you we see the gentle redeemer. You are the holy heir of our Faith, You are the comfort and the refuge of those who believe and fight Force and terror will not prevail, But truth and love will reign PONTIFICIAL MARCH Hail, O Rome Eternal abode of memories; A thousand pslams and a thousand altars Sing your praises CHORUS: City of the Apostles, Mother and guide of the elect, Light of the nations And hope of the world! Hail, O Rome Your light will never fade; The splendour of your beauty Disperses hatred and shame. Repeat Chorus

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