The Holy See is the sovereign of Vatican City State; it holds the UN observer seat and conducts its diplomatic relations.
National Identity
- Official name
- Vatican City State
- Official name (in Latin)
- Status Civitatis Vaticanae
- Official name (in Italian)
- Stato della Città del Vaticano
- Name etymology
"holy" comes from the Greek word hera, meaning "sacred"; "see" comes from the Latin word sedes, meaning "seat," and refers to the episcopal chair; the name Vatican derives from the hill Mons Vaticanus on which the Vatican is located and which comes from the Latin vates (prophet), referring to the fortune tellers and soothsayers who frequented the area in Roman times
Sources:- State and Government - Origins and Characteristics ↗ - Vatican City State - Vatican State
- The World Factbook: Holy See (Vatican City) - CIA
- Coat of arms
- National flag
Translated from the Holy See The flag of the Vatican City State consists of two fields divided vertically, one yellow next to the staff and the other white, and bears on the latter the tiara with the keys
Unofficial translation by WorldometerTranslated from the Governorate of the Vatican City State In ancient times the flag of the Papal State was yellow and red [...] the two traditional colours of the Senate and People of Rome, which were nevertheless replaced with white and yellow in 1808, when Pius VII ordered his Noble Guard and the other papal armed corps that had remained loyal to adopt a new cockade with the aforesaid colours to distinguish them from the remaining troops incorporated into the French army, to which General Sextius A. F. Miollis had granted permission to continue using their old cockade.
Unofficial translation by WorldometerTranslated from the Governorate of the Vatican City State First hoisted by the merchant navy, the oldest white and yellow papal flag nevertheless dates back to 1824, but with the colours placed diagonally; they were later arranged in two vertical bands by Pius IX who, after returning from exile in Gaeta, had the papal coat of arms added to it in place of the tricolour (white, red and green) streamers that had been attached to it in 1848.
Unofficial translation by WorldometerTranslated from the Governorate of the Vatican City State It was only following the Lateran Treaty between the Holy See and Italy of 11 February 1929 that the papal flag took on its present form, being also regarded as the flag of a foreign State and therefore protected in the same way as all the others (article 299 of the Italian Penal Code). The modern flag was raised for the first time on 8 June 1929.
Unofficial translation by WorldometerSources:- vatican.va ↗ - the Holy See
- vaticanstate.va ↗ - the Governorate of the Vatican City State
- National anthem
- Hymnus Pontificius3:13
- Title (in Latin)
- Hymnus Pontificius
- Title (in English, translated)
- Pontifical Anthem
- Lyrics
O felix Roma, O felix Roma nobilis. O felix Roma, Roma felix Roma nobilis. Sedes es Petri, qui Christi vicem gerit, Sedes es Petri, qui apostolus est pacis.
Pontifex tecum erimus omnes nos Pontifex es magister qui tuos confirmas fratres. Pontifex tecum erimus omnes nos Pontifex es magister qui tuos confirmas fratres. Pontifex fundamentum ac robur nostrum, Hominumque piscator pastor es gregis ligans terram et coelum.
Petre, tu es Christi es Vicarius super terram, Rupes inter fluctus, tu es pharus ac veritas. Tu Christi es caritas, tu es unitatis custos, Promptus libertatis defensor; in te auctoritas.
Petre, tu es Christi es Vicarius super terram, Rupes inter fluctus, tu es pharus ac veritas. Tu Christi es caritas, tu es unitatis custos, Promptus libertatis defensor; in te auctoritas.
O Roma nobilis, O Roma felix nobilis.
Source:
- Official name:State and Government - Origins and Characteristics ↗ - Vatican City State - Vatican State
- Official name:The World Factbook: Holy See (Vatican City) - CIA
- National flag:vatican.va ↗ - the Holy See
- National flag:vaticanstate.va ↗ - the Governorate of the Vatican City State
- National anthem:nationalanthems.info ↗
Geography
- Location
- Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)
- Total area
- 0.44 km²
- Land area
- 0.44 km²
- Water area
- 0.00 km²
- Land borders
- 3.4 km(1 country)
- Italy
- 3.4 km
Source:- The World Factbook: Holy See (Vatican City) - CIA
- Coastline
- 0 km(Landlocked)
- Terrain
Urban; low hill - Highest point
- 78 mVatican Gardens (Vatican Hill)
- Lowest point
- 19 mSaint Peter's Square
- Climate
Temperate mild, rainy winters (September to May) with hot, dry summers (May to September) - Avg. temperature
- 15.7 °C
- Avg. daily range
- 11.1 to 20.6 °C
- Annual precipitation
- 888 mm
Temperature °CMeanDaily rangePrecipitation mmMonthly climate normals Month Avg. high, °C Mean, °C Avg. low, °C Precipitation, mm January 11.5 7.2 3.4 68 February 12.6 7.9 3.6 75 March 15.5 10.7 6 78 April 18.5 13.6 8.7 81 May 23.1 18 12.8 61 June 27.7 22.4 16.9 36 July 30.8 25.2 19.5 24 August 31.2 25.4 19.9 24 September 26.1 21 16.2 89 October 21.5 16.8 12.5 122 November 16.2 12.1 8.3 132 December 12.3 8.1 4.5 98 Country-wide averages over 1991–2020.
Sources:- The World Factbook: Holy See (Vatican City) - CIA
- Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Weather
- Loading
- Location, Land borders, Coastline, Terrain, Highest point, Lowest point, Climate:The World Factbook: Holy See (Vatican City) - CIA
- Climate:Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
Demographics
- Population change2026
- +1.00% per year+5 people/yearWorld Rank101stof 237
- Birth rate
- 4.4 per 1,000 population
- Death rate
- 24.7 per 1,000 population
- Net migration rate
- +25.7 per 1,000 population
- 2026
- 56.2 yearsWorld Rank1stof 237
- Age structure2026
- 0-14 years7.7%15-64 years51.5%65 years +40.8%
- Share aged 65 and over
- 40.8%
- Share aged under 18
- 10.1%
- Total dependency ratio
- 94
- Youth dependency ratio
- 15
- Elderly dependency ratio
- 79
- Sex ratio
- 0.91 male / female
MaleAgeFemalePopulation by age group, % of total population Age Male Female 80+ 8.3% 13.0% 70-79 6.4% 7.5% 60-69 5.8% 5.8% 50-59 5.8% 5.8% 40-49 5.8% 5.8% 30-39 5.6% 5.2% 20-29 3.9% 3.9% 10-19 3.9% 3.1% 0-9 2.7% 1.9% - 2026
- 1.10 below the replacement level for the Holy See ()1.00 births per womanreplacement 2.10123World Rank230thof 237
- 0.48 daughters per woman0.52 below replacement, long-run each generation smaller than the lastreplacement 1.000.511.5
- 2026
- −20.3 per 1,000 populationfor every 1,000 people, 20.3 more deaths than births a year
- 2026
- +25.7 per 1,000 population
- Urbanization2026
- 100.0% live in cities506 urban residents
- Ethnic groups2017
- Italian, Swiss, Argentinian, Other (nationalities from around the world)
- Religions
- Roman Catholic
- Languages
- Latin (Latina), Italian (Italiano)
- Population, Population change, Median age, Age structure, Total fertility rate, Net reproduction rate, Natural change, Net migration rate:UN World Population Prospects ↗
- Urbanization:UN World Urbanization Prospects ↗
- Ethnic groups, Religions:The World Factbook: Holy See (Vatican City) - CIA
Government & Administration
- Form of state
- Absolute monarchyThe Supreme Pontiff, Sovereign of the State of Vatican City, is elected by the Cardinals under eighty in secret ballot; during a vacancy the College of Cardinals exercises the State's powers (Arts. 1, 3; Universi Dominici Gregis nn. 33, 88).Sources:
- Legge fondamentale dello Stato della Città del Vaticano, Leone XIV, 31 luglio 2026 ↗, Arts. 1, 3; Universi Dominici Gregis nn. 33, 88
- Costituzione apostolica Universi Dominici Gregis, Giovanni Paolo II ↗, Arts. 1, 3; Universi Dominici Gregis nn. 33, 88
- System of government
- Unified authorityThe Supreme Pontiff holds all legislative, executive and judicial power; a Pontifical Commission he appoints for five years legislates, its President heads the Governorate (the administration), and there is no elected legislature to dissolve (Arts. 1, 7, 8, 15, 16).Sources:
- Legge fondamentale dello Stato della Città del Vaticano, Leone XIV, 31 luglio 2026 ↗, Arts. 1, 7, 8, 15, 16
- Costituzione apostolica Universi Dominici Gregis, Giovanni Paolo II ↗, Arts. 1, 7, 8, 15, 16
- Territorial organisation
- Unitary
- Official websites
- Capital
- Vatican City458 people(2019)
- National holidays
- 29 days in 2026
- ThuJan 1Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
- TueJan 6Epiphany
- WedFeb 11Anniversary of the Foundation of Vatican City
- ThuMar 19Saint Joseph's Day
- ThuApr 2Maundy Thursday
- FriApr 3Good Friday
- SatApr 4Holy Saturday
- SunApr 5Easter Sunday
- MonApr 6Easter Monday
- TueApr 7Easter Tuesday
- FriMay 1Saint Joseph the Worker's Day
- FriMay 8Anniversary of the Election of the Holy Father
- ThuMay 14Ascension Day
- SunMay 24Solemnity of Pentecost
- SunMay 31Solemnity of Holy Trinity
- ThuJun 4Corpus Domini
- MonJun 29Saints Peter and Paul's Day
- FriAug 14Day Before Assumption of Mary
- SatAug 15Assumption of Mary Day
- SunAug 16Day After Assumption of Mary
- ThuSep 17Name Day of the Holy Father
- SunNov 1All Saints' Day
- MonNov 2All Souls' Day
- TueDec 8Immaculate Conception
- ThuDec 24Christmas Eve
- FriDec 25Christmas Day
- SatDec 26Saint Stephen's Day
- SunDec 27Saint John the Evangelist's Day
- ThuDec 31Last Day of the Year
Nationwide public holidays only, excluding regional, bank and government-only days.
- Time
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Calling code
- +379
- Internet TLD
- .va
- ISO 3166-1 codes
- VA, VAT
- Form of state, System of government, Territorial organisation:Legge fondamentale dello Stato della Città del Vaticano, Leone XIV, 31 luglio 2026 ↗ - Holy See
- Form of state, System of government, Territorial organisation:Costituzione apostolica Universi Dominici Gregis, Giovanni Paolo II ↗ - Holy See
- National holidays:Open World Holidays Framework (vacanza/holidays) ↗
Economy
- Industries
- printing
- production of coins, medals, postage stamps
- mosaics, staff uniforms
- worldwide banking and financial activities
Source:- The World Factbook: Holy See (Vatican City) - CIA
- Industries:The World Factbook: Holy See (Vatican City) - CIA
Cost of Living
Society
- Internet users2024
- 89.2% of the population
- Households with Internet access
- 89.2%
Source:- ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- 2 sites2 cultural
Site Historic Center of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura Vatican City Source:- The World Factbook: Holy See (Vatican City) - CIA
- Internet users:ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites:The World Factbook: Holy See (Vatican City) - CIA
Crime & Safety
- Homicide rate2024
- 0 per 100,000 peopleVery low by global standards
- Crime rates
- 7 offence categories
Offence Per 100,000 Count Year Homicide (victims) 0.0 0 2024 Serious assault 0.0 0 2023 Sexual violence 403.6 2 2023 Kidnapping 201.8 1 2023 Burglary 0.0 0 2022 Theft 0.0 0 2022 Vehicle theft 0.0 0 2022 A low figure can also mean weak recording.
Source:- UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
- Prison population2023
- 0 per 100,000 people
- Persons held
- 0
Source:- UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
- Homicide rate, Crime rates, Prison population:UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
Health
- Life expectancy2026
- 83.4 years
- Infant mortality2026
- 5.7 per 1,000 live births
- Life expectancy, Infant mortality:UN World Population Prospects ↗
Environment
- 2024
- 10.9 µg/m³ of PM2.50.6 years of life expectancy lost against the WHO guidelineMost polluted130thof 236
- WHO guideline
- 5 µg/m³
Source:- Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues
- some air pollution from the surrounding city of Rome
- International agreements
- 5 of 20 landmark treaties in forceParty to 10 multilateral environmental agreements
Treaty Standing Joined Climate Paris Agreement in force 2022 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in force 2022 Kyoto Protocol not a party Ozone layer Montreal Protocol in force 2008 Vienna Convention (Ozone Layer) in force 2008 Biodiversity Convention on Biological Diversity not a party CITES not a party Convention on Migratory Species (Bonn) not a party Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety not a party Nagoya Protocol not a party Land and heritage Ramsar Convention on Wetlands not a party World Heritage Convention in force 1983 UN Convention to Combat Desertification not a party Chemicals and waste Basel Convention not a party Rotterdam Convention (PIC) not a party Stockholm Convention (POPs) not a party Minamata Convention on Mercury not a party Oceans UN Convention on the Law of the Sea not a party High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) not a party MARPOL 73/78 not a party Source:- International Environmental Agreements Database ↗ - Université Laval
- Air pollution:Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues:The World Factbook: Holy See (Vatican City) - CIA
- International agreements:International Environmental Agreements Database ↗ - Université Laval
Food & Water
Energy
Defense
- Military service2025
- Voluntaryno conscription; ages 19–30, Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps; service contract between 2 and 25 years
Must be a single Roman Catholic male with Swiss citizenship who has completed basic training with the Swiss military and can obtain a certificate of good conduct; qualified candidates must apply to serve.
Source:- The World Factbook: Holy See (Vatican City) - CIA
- Nuclear weapons2026
- None - no nuclear arsenal
- Military service:The World Factbook: Holy See (Vatican City) - CIA
- Nuclear weapons:Status of World Nuclear Forces ↗ - Federation of American Scientists
