Short facts about the government of Vatican City

Country name:

conventional long form:  The Holy See (State of the Vatican City) conventional short form:  Holy See (Vatican City) local long form:  Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano) local short form:  Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)

Government type:

ecclesiastical

Capital:

Vatican City

Independence:

11 February 1929 (from Italy)

National holiday:

Coronation Day of Pope JOHN PAUL II, 22 October (1978)

Constitution:

Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968)

Legal system:

NA

Suffrage:

limited to cardinals less than 80 years old

Executive branch:

chief of state:  Pope JOHN PAUL II (since 16 October 1978) head of government:  Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo SODANO (since 2 December 1990) cabinet:  Pontifical Commission appointed by the pope elections:  pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the pope election results:  Karol WOJTYLA elected pope

Legislative branch:

unicameral Pontifical Commission

Judicial branch:

none; normally handled by Italy

Political parties and leaders:

none

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers)

International organization participation:

CE (observer), IAEA, ICFTU, Intelsat, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WHO (observer), WIPO, WToO (observer), WTrO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission:  Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Gabriele MONTALVO chancery:  3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone:  [1] (202) 333-7121

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission:  Ambassador (vacant) embassy:  Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00162 Rome mailing address:  PSC 59, Box F, APO AE 09624 telephone:  [39] (06) 4674-3428 FAX:  [39] (06) 5758346

Flag description:

two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter centered in the white band

Source: World Factbook