Holy See (Vatican City)

Holy See (Vatican City) Background

Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid 19th century, when many of the Papal States were seized by the newly united Kingdom of Italy. In 1870, the pope's holdings were further circumscribed when Rome itself was annexed. Disputes between a series of prisoner popes and Italy were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties, which established the independent state of Vatican City and granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy. In 1984, a concordat between the Holy See and Italy modified certain of the earlier treaty provisions, including the primacy of Roman Catholicism as the Italian state religion. Present concerns of the Holy See include religious freedom, international development, the Middle East, terrorism, the failing health of Pope JOHN PAUL II, interreligious dialogue and reconciliation, and the application of church doctrine in an era of rapid change and globalization. About 1 billion people worldwide profess the Catholic faith.

Holy See (Vatican City) Information

• Population: 921 (July 2004 est.)
• Nationality: noun: none adjective: none
• Location:: Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)
• Religions:: Roman Catholic
• Ethnic Groups:: Italians, Swiss, other
• Land Boundaries:: total: 3.2 km border countries: Italy 3.2 km
• Area: total: 0.44 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 0.44 sq km
• Coast Line: 0 km (landlocked)
• Climate: temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with hot, dry summers (May to September)
• Terrain: low hill
• Maritime Claims: none (landlocked)
• Land Use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (urban area) (2001)
• Environmental Issues: NA
• Natural Resources: none
• Highways: none; all city streets
• Railways:
• Ports & Harbours: none
• Airports: