| Demographics ofVatican City | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Population |  882[1] (237th) |
| • Year | 2024 |
| Density | 4,021/mi2 (1,559/km2) (2nd) |
| Growth rate |  -1.87% (2023) |
| Birth rate | 36.29 births/1,000 population (2024) |
| Death rate |  18.15 deaths/1,000 population (2024) |
| Life expectancy | 84.16 years (2023)[2] |
| Net migration rate | 1,000 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024) |
| Nationality | |
| Nationality | Vatican |
| Major ethnic | |
| Language | |
| Official | Italian,Latin |
| Spoken | Italian,English[citation needed] |
Vatican City had an estimated resident population of 882 in 2024, including non-citizens. Additionally, 372 Vatican citizens live abroad, primarily diplomats of theHoly See and cardinals inRome.[3] Vatican City remains the world's smallest country in bothland area andpopulation size.[4]
The population of Vatican City includes clergy, religious members, lay employees of the state (like theSwiss Guard), and their families.[5] In 2013, 13 families of Holy See employees lived in Vatican City,[6] and by 2019, 20 children of Swiss Guards resided there.[7] All citizens, residents, and places of worship areCatholic. The city also hosts thousands of tourists and daily workers.
| Sex | all | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | Vatican | other | |
| Residency | other | Vatican City | |
| Pope | 2 | ||
| Cardinals | 55 | 9 | |
| Diplomats | 317 | ||
| Swiss Guard | 104 | ||
| Others | 132 | 518 | |
| Total | 618 | 518 | |
| 372 | 246 | ||
| 764 | |||
| 1,136 | |||
| Sex | all | male | female | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | Vatican | other | Vatican | other | Vatican | other | |||
| Residency | other | Vatican City | other | Vatican City | other | Vatican City | |||
| Pope | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| Cardinals | 43 | 30 | 43 | 30 | |||||
| Diplomats | 306 | 306 | |||||||
| Swiss Guard | 86 | 86 | |||||||
| Other religious | 50 | 197 | 49 | 102 | 1 | 95 | |||
| Other lay | 56 | 24 | 25 | 3 | 31 | 21 | |||
| Total | 572 | 221 | 540 | 105 | 32 | 116 | |||
| 349 | 223 | 349 | 191 | 32 | |||||
| 444 | 296 | 148 | |||||||
| 793 | 645 | 148 | |||||||
Women make up a small fraction of Vatican City's citizenship, constituting roughly 5.5% of its population. As of a 2011 report by theHerald Sun, there were just 32 female Vatican passport holders out of 572 citizens, with one being a nun.[8] By 2013,Worldcrunch reported about 30 women citizens, a group that included twoSouth American women, twoPolish nationals, and three fromSwitzerland, with the majority of Vatican women beingItalians.[9]
Among the few women residing in Vatican City, one notable example was the daughter of an electrician employed by the Vatican; she eventually "lost her right to live" in the city upon getting married. Another resident,Magdalena Wolińska-Riedi, is a Polish translator and the wife of a member of theSwiss Guard.[9]
Among the women with Vatican City citizenship, one serves as an officer in theVatican's military, while two work as teacher, one at thehigh school level and the other inkindergarten, and another holds a role as an academic. Vatican City citizenship for women is often granted through marriage to a Vatican citizen, provided they are baptized Catholics. However, this citizenship is typically temporary, remaining valid only for the duration of their residence within the city-state.[9]
Historically, women in Vatican City faced significant restrictions, including the inability to open a bank account. However, during the tenures ofPope John Paul II andPope Benedict XVI, there was a notable shift towards recognizing thevalue of women within the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI appointedIngrid Stampa, a woman, as one of his assistant editors and confidential advisers.[9]
On April 21, 2013,The Telegraph reported thatPope Francis planned to appoint more women to key positions within the Vatican. In May 2019, he made a significant move by appointing three women as consultors to the General Secretariat for theSynod of Bishops on Young People, Faith, and Vocational Discernment.[10] Additionally, the Vatican’s daily newspaper,L'Osservatore Romano, began publishing supplementary pages focused on women's issues.[11]
Despite these advancements, women are still not permitted to be ordained as priests or bishops. However, a commission is currently examining the possibility of allowing women to serve as unordaineddeacons.
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The Pope, as the head of state of Vatican City and leader of the Catholic Church, is elected by theCollege of Cardinals, a body composed of senior church officials appointed by the Pope. The College operates as part of the Holy See and is responsible for electing a new Pope in a conclave upon the vacancy of the papal office.
The rank of cardinal is a prestigious position within the Church, but it is not a sacramental order; rather, it is a title conferred upon bishops and, in some cases, priests, granting them the responsibility of advising the Pope and, for those under the age of 80, participating in papal elections.
Currently, only men are eligible to become cardinals and, by extension, to be elected as Pope, in accordance with Catholic tradition. However, since the office of cardinal is not divinely instituted but rather a role established by ecclesiastical law, the Pope has the authority to modify its requirements. While no decision has been made to allow women to become cardinals, discussions regarding the role of women in the Church continue, particularly under recent papacies.[citation needed]
Vatican City is one of two sovereign states thatdo not allow divorce, the other being thePhilippines.
Thelegal framework in Vatican City is primarilyrooted in canon law, the body of laws governing the Catholic Church, and uses it as the principal source for legal interpretation. To support its governance, Vatican City has also adopted severalItalian laws for practical implementation, such as theItalian penal code from 1929, though it incorporates certain modifications.[12]
Both canon law, specificallyCanon 1397 §2, and articles 381 to 385 of the Vatican's adapted penal code, categorically prohibit abortion without citing exceptions. However, article 49 of the penal code outlines the"principle of necessity" to save one's life, a provision that, according to the Italian penal code's original drafters, could technically allow abortion when necessary to save a woman's life.[13][14][15][16] However, theChurch's interpretation of canon law remains far stricter. The Church only condones an"indirect" abortion in cases where the procedure aims solely to save the woman's life, and where the fetus's death is an unintended, albeit anticipated, outcome.
This interpretation is grounded in theprinciple of double effect, which permits procedures such as the removal of acancerous uterus or treatment for anectopic pregnancy if the primary intent is to protect the woman's health, with the death of the fetus seen as an undesired consequence, rather than the aim of the procedure.[17][18]
Vatican City primarily usesItalian in official documents and daily operations, due to its central role in Vatican life and Italian-based tourism. Despite this, many other languages are used within Vatican City due to the diverse origins of its residents and its various institutions, such as the Holy See and the Swiss Guard.
Historically,Latin was the spoken language of the region during theRoman Empire and served as the official language of thePapal States for centuries. When the area became part of Italy in 1870, Italian became its official language. After Vatican City's establishment in 1929 through theLateran Treaty, the state did not designate an official language, although its laws are published in Italian in theActa Apostolicae Sedis. Latin remains the official language of the Holy See, while Italian is the primary working language in Vatican City's administration and diplomacy, with occasional use ofFrench for diplomatic purposes.[19][better source needed]
The Swiss Guard usesSwiss German for commands, while guards take their loyalty oath in their respective native languages:German, French, Italian, orRomansh. The language diversity extends into the Church's media presence; for instance, the Holy See's newspaper,L'Osservatore Romano, is published in multiple languages including Italian, English, French, German, andSpanish.[20] Similarly, theVatican News website provides content in a wide range of languages.[21]
Unlike most countries, where citizenship is based onjus sanguinis, citizenship through descent, orjus soli, citizenship by birth within the territory, Vatican City grants citizenship based onjus officii, meaning citizenship is given due to an individual's appointment to a specific role in service to the Holy See. Citizenship typically ends when the person's role ceases, though it is extended to spouses and children of citizens, provided they live together within Vatican City. Some individuals may also reside in Vatican City without opting for citizenship.[4]
In cases where a person loses Vatican citizenship and does not hold another nationality, they automatically acquireItalian citizenship under the terms of the Lateran Treaty. The Holy See, distinct from Vatican City as an entity, issues onlydiplomatic andservice passports, whereas Vatican City issuesordinarypassports for its citizens.[22]
Vatican City frequently stands out inper capita and per area statistical comparisons, primarily due to its tiny size and unique ecclesiastical function.[23] For instance, because most citizenship-granting positions are held by men, Vatican City’s gender ratio skews significantly male, with several men per woman among citizens.[9] Additionally, the high number of petty crimes against tourists creates an inflated per-capita crime rate,[24] and the state also leads in per-capita wine consumption, largely because ofsacramental wine usage in religious ceremonies.[23]
These unusual metrics often make Vatican City an interesting outlier in global data comparisons. A humorous example of this is the hypothetical "Popes per km2" statistic, which surpasses two popes per square kilometer due to the city-state's area being less than half a square kilometer.[25]
Vatican City is home to notable works of art and architecture.St. Peter's Basilica, a prominent example ofRenaissance architecture, was designed by several architects, includingBramante,Michelangelo,Giacomo della Porta,Maderno, andBernini. TheSistine Chapel is widely recognized for itsfrescoes, featuring works by artists such asPerugino,Domenico Ghirlandaio, andBotticelli, along with Michelangelo's ceiling andLast Judgment. The interiors of Vatican buildings also include contributions from artists likeRaphael andFra Angelico.
TheVatican Apostolic Library and theVatican Museums' collections are valued for their historical, scientific, and cultural significance.[27] Designated aUNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, Vatican City is the only state entirely listed as such. It is also the sole UNESCO site recorded in the "International Register of Cultural Property under Special Protection" in accordance with the 1954Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.[28]
In 1936,Pope Pius XI established thePontifical Academy of Sciences, building on the foundation of thePontifical Academy of New Lincei, founded byPope Pius IX in 1847. Located in theCasina Pio IV, the Academy promotes academic freedom and encourages research inmathematics,physical sciences (includingastronomy,Earth sciences,physics, andchemistry), andnatural sciences (includingmedicine,neuroscience,biology,genetics, andbiochemistry), while also engaging withepistemological andhistorical aspects of science. Its members have included notable scientists such as astrophysicistMartin John Rees, mathematicianCédric Villani, theoretical physicistEdward Witten,Nobel laureates in ChemistryJennifer Doudna andEmmanuelle Charpentier, as well as geneticistsLuigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza andFrancis Collins, thehead transplant pioneerRobert J. White, and theNobel Prize in Physiology or MedicineAlexander Fleming.[29][30]
Another Vatican-based institution, thePontifical Academy of Social Sciences, addresses a wide range of fields, includinganthropology,communication studies,information sciences,cybernetics,economics,education,geography,history,law,linguistics,political science,psychology,behavioral sciences,sociology anddemography.[31] ThePontifical Academy for Life, located at theSan Callisto complex, focuses onbioethics andethics related to technology.[32][33]
TheVatican Observatory, which traces its origins to the 16th century, initially operated telescopes in Vatican City and at thePalace of Castel Gandolfo. However,light pollution has limited these facilities' effectiveness for research, leading to a partnership with theUniversity of Arizona and the establishment of theVatican Advanced Technology Telescope in Arizona. The Observatory remains active in astronomical research, contributing to areas such ascosmological models,stellar classification,binary stars, andnebulae. Additionally, it participates inphilosophicalinterdisciplinary studies at theCenter for Theology and the Natural Sciences inBerkeley, California and research on thehistory of astronomy thanks to its extensive library, which also includes ameteoritecollection.[34]
Vatican City is not a member of theInternational Olympic Committee and does not participate in theOlympic Games. However, it has taken part in other international sporting events, such as theWorld Cycling Championships,[35] theChampionships of the Small States of Europe, and theMediterranean Games.[36] The nation has its own athletics association,Vatican Athletics.[37]
Football in Vatican City is overseen by theVatican Amateur Sports Association, which organizes the national championship, known as theVatican City Championship. This league includes eight teams, such asFC Guardia, representing the Swiss Guard, along with teams from the police and museum guard.[38] The association also manages theCoppa Sergio Valci and theVatican Supercoppa. Additionally, it oversees theVatican City national football team, which is not affiliated with eitherUEFA orFIFA.
Theeconomy of Vatican City is primarily funded through the sale of stamps, coins, medals, and tourist souvenirs, alongside museum admission fees and publication sales. In 2016, Vatican City employed a total of 4,822 people.[39]
Vatican City receives subsidies from the Italian state, including a free water supply, tax exemptions, and other forms ofdedicated public funding.
Vatican City issues its own coins and stamps and has used theeuro as its currency since January 1, 1999, through the Council Decision 1999/98 with theEuropean Union. Whileeuro banknotes are not issued by the Vatican, it began issuingeuro coins on January 1, 2002. The issuance of these coins is tightly limited by treaty, with slightly higher allowances in years of a papal change.[40] Due to their limited availability, Vatican euro coins are popular among collectors.[41]
As of 2021, Vatican City reported budgeted revenue of €770 million, expenditures of €803 million, and a resulting deficit of €33 million.[42] Vatican City’s industries include printing, the production of a limited amount of mosaics, and the manufacture of staff uniforms, along with global banking and financial operations.[39]
Electricity is partially generated bysolar panels, which produce up to 442 MWh, with the remainder supplied by Italy.[citation needed]
Vatican City law comprises various forms, with thecanon law of the Catholic Church being the most significant.[43] The state's governing bodies operate under theFundamental Law of Vatican City State, while the Code of Penal Procedure regulates itstribunals, and the Lateran Treaty outlines its relationship with Italy.
Canon law holds the highest authority within the civil legal system of Vatican City. TheSupreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, adicastery of theRoman Curia and the topcanonical tribunal, also serves as the final court of cassation in Vatican City’s civil legal system. Its responsibilities include handling appeals related to legal procedure and judicial competence. Under a 2008 law issued byPope Benedict XVI, the civil legal system of Vatican City recognizes canon law as its first source of norms andfirst principle of interpretation. within the Vatican's civil legal system.Pope Francis has affirmed thatprinciples of canon law are essential for interpreting and applying the laws of Vatican City.[43]
The civil government of Vatican City is governed by theFundamental Law, which serves as its constitutional framework.Promulgated byPope John Paul II on November 26, 2000, the Fundamental Law consists of 20 articles[44]and took effect on February 22, 2001, theFeast of the Chair of St. Peter. This law replaced the previous Fundamental Law of Vatican City established byPope Pius XI on June 7, 1929. All existing norms in Vatican City that conflicted with the new law were abrogated, and the original document, bearing the Seal of Vatican City State, was archived in the Archive of the Laws of Vatican City State, with the corresponding text published in the Supplement to theActa Apostolicae Sedis. In April 2023, Pope Francis introduced a new Fundamental Law, which came into effect the same year.[45]
Theapostolic constitutionPraedicate evangelium regulates theRoman Curia, which provides assistance to the pope in governing the Catholic Church.[46][47]
TheCorpo della Gendarmeria dello Stato della Città del Vaticano is thegendarmerie, and functions as the police and security force for Vatican City and theextraterritorial properties of the Holy See.[48] This corps is responsible for various duties, including maintaining security, ensuringpublic order, conductingborder andtraffic control, performingcriminal investigations, and providing general police services within Vatican City, including protecting the pope outside its borders. Comprising 130 personnel, it operates under the Security and Civil Defence Services Department, which also encompasses theVatican Fire Brigade, an organ of the Governorate of Vatican City.[49][50] ThePontifical Swiss Guards are specifically tasked with the protection of the pope and theApostolic Palace.[51][52]
According to Article 3 of the1929 Lateran Treaty between the Holy See and Italy,St. Peter's Square, while part of Vatican City State, is primarily patrolled by theItalian police up to the steps leading to the basilica. Article 22 of the Lateran Treaty stipulates that theItalian government will seek the prosecution and detention of criminal suspects at the request of the Holy See, with the expenses incurred covered by Vatican City. Vatican City does not have its own prison system, apart from a few cells designated for pre-trial detention. Individuals sentenced to imprisonment by Vatican authorities serve their sentences in Italian prisons, with the costs borne by Vatican City.[22][53][54]
TheVatican Gendarmerie maintains a limited number of prison cells. Under the provisions of the Lateran Treaty, individuals convicted of crimes are incarcerated in Italian prisons.[55]
Crime in Vatican City primarily involvespurse snatching,pickpocketing, andshoplifting, typically committed by tourists targeting other tourists.[56] St. Peter's Square, with its high tourist traffic, is a common area for such incidents.[57]
Vatican City's small size leads to some statistical anomalies. With 18 million visitors each year,[58]petty theft is the most frequent crime, often involving tourists as both perpetrators and victims. In 1992, based on a population of 455, there were 397civil offenses, equating to a crime rate of 0.87 offenses per person, and 608penal offenses, or 1.33 per capita.[56]
