Demographics of Vatican City

Women make up a small fraction of Vatican City's citizenship, constituting roughly 5.5% of its population. As of a 2011 report by the Herald Sun, there were just 32 female Vatican passport holders out of 572 citizens, with one being a nun.[http://www.heraldsun.com.au/archive/news/only-32-women-in-vatican-city/story-e6frf7lf-1226014488697 Only 32 women in Vatican City], Herald Sun, March 02, 2011. By 2013, Worldcrunch reported about 30 women citizens, a group that included two South American women, two Polish nationals, and three from Switzerland, with the majority of Vatican women being Italians.

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 the Swiss Guard.

Among the women with Vatican City citizenship, one serves as an officer in the Vatican's military, while two work as teacher, one at the high school level and the other in kindergarten, 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.

Historically, women in Vatican City faced significant restrictions, including the inability to open a bank account. However, during the tenures of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, there was a notable shift towards recognizing the value of women within the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI appointed Ingrid Stampa, a woman, as one of his assistant editors and confidential advisers.

On April 21, 2013, The Telegraph reported that Pope 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 the Synod of Bishops on Young People, Faith, and Vocational Discernment.{{Cite web|url=https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/10/pope-francis-using-synods-to-build-consensus-in-church-participant-says/|title=Pope Francis using synods to 'build consensus' in Church, participant says|last=White|first=Christopher|date=October 30, 2019|website=cruxnow.com|access-date=2019-11-19}} Additionally, the Vatican’s daily newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, began publishing supplementary pages focused on women's issues.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/vaticancityandholysee/10008833/Pope-Francis-to-appoint-more-women-to-key-Vatican-posts.html Pope Francis 'to appoint more women to key Vatican posts'], The Telegraph, April 21, 2013

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 unordained deacons.

{{original research|date=October 2024}}

The Pope, as the head of state of Vatican City and leader of the Catholic Church, is elected by the College 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.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

Vatican City is one of two sovereign states that do not allow divorce, the other being the Philippines.

The legal framework in Vatican City is primarily rooted 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 several Italian laws for practical implementation, such as the Italian penal code from 1929, though it incorporates certain modifications.[http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/labour_office/docs/documents/ulsa_b16_1_it.html Law on the sources of law], Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Supplement for the laws and provisions of Vatican City State, 1 October 2008 {{in lang|it}}.

Both canon law, specifically Canon 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.[https://books.google.com/books?id=0ohOAQAAIAAJ&pg=145 Report to His Majesty the King from the Minister Keeper of the Seals (Zanardelli) at the hearing of 30 June 1889 for the approval of the final text of the penal code], pp. 145–146. "On the agreed proposal of the parliamentary commissions, the provision that was read in the bill, according to which it was declared 'not punishable the doctor or surgeon, when he justifies having acted in order to save the woman's life, endangered by the pregnancy or by childbirth', was deleted"; "The vote expressed in agreement in parliament led me to the aforesaid deletion, not to exclude the application of the concept that was expressed there, but because it was superfluous and inappropriate to declare it, providing if needed article 49 number 3, the application of which would be only, and without reason, restricted." {{in lang|it}}[https://books.google.com/books?id=ctcVAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA29 Criminal abortion in the Italian penal code], Pasquale Tuozzi, Filippo Serafini Legal Archive, 1902, vol. 10, no. 3, p. 29. "However, if you want to search for a provision in our code that covers the surgeon, in addition to article 45, in which the aforesaid reason is rooted, there is also number 3 of article 49, where it is declared the nonresponsibility of one who acts compelled by the need to save himself or others from a serious and imminent danger to the person, to which he did not voluntarily give cause, and which he could not otherwise avoid. Well, these extremes of the state of necessity all apply in the case of the surgeon, who, put in the harsh condition, not created by him, extinguishes an imperfect and perhaps uncertain existence, to save a certain and real existence, which is that of the woman in childbirth." {{in lang|it}}[https://www.vatican.va/archive/cod-iuris-canonici/eng/documents/cic_lib6-cann1364-1399_en.html Offences against human life, dignity and freedom], Code of Cannon Law, Holy See.[http://www.antropologiagiuridica.it/cp1889.pdf Penal code for the Kingdom of Italy, 1889], University of Brescia College of Law {{in lang|it}}. However, the Church'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 the principle of double effect, which permits procedures such as the removal of a cancerous uterus or treatment for an ectopic 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.[https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/abortion-and-the-catholic-church-9580 Abortion and the Catholic Church], Pro-Life Activist's Encyclopedia, American Life League.[http://natcath.org/NCR_Online/archives/011703/011703d.htm Under Vatican ruling, abortion triggers automatic excommunication], National Catholic Reporter, 17 January 2003.

{{Main|Languages of Vatican City}}

Vatican City primarily uses Italian 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 the Roman Empire and served as the official language of the Papal 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 the Lateran Treaty, the state did not designate an official language, although its laws are published in Italian in the Acta 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 of French for diplomatic purposes.Camposanto Teutonico{{Better source needed|date=October 2024}}

The Swiss Guard uses Swiss German for commands, while guards take their loyalty oath in their respective native languages: German, French, Italian, or Romansh. 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, and Spanish.[http://www.osservatoreromano.va/en L'Osservatore Romano] Similarly, the Vatican News website provides content in a wide range of languages.[https://www.vaticannews.va Vatican News]

Unlike most countries, where citizenship is based on jus sanguinis, citizenship through descent, or jus soli, citizenship by birth within the territory, Vatican City grants citizenship based on jus 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.vaticanstate.va/phocadownload/leggi-decreti/Leggesullacittadinanzalaresidenzaelaccesso.pdf |title=Law on citizenship, residence and access |publisher=Vatican City State |date=22 February 2011 |access-date=31 July 2022 |language=it |archive-date=17 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717184754/https://www.vaticanstate.va/phocadownload/leggi-decreti/Leggesullacittadinanzalaresidenzaelaccesso.pdf |url-status=live }}

In cases where a person loses Vatican citizenship and does not hold another nationality, they automatically acquire Italian citizenship under the terms of the Lateran Treaty. The Holy See, distinct from Vatican City as an entity, issues only diplomatic and service passports, whereas Vatican City issues ordinary passports for its citizens.

Vatican City frequently stands out in per capita and per area statistical comparisons, primarily due to its tiny size and unique ecclesiastical function.{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/vatican-city-drinks-more-wine-per-person-than-anywhere-else-in-the-world-9151475.html |title=Vatican City drinks more wine per person than anywhere else in the world |access-date=27 July 2018 |work=The Independent |date=25 February 2014 |archive-date=27 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727222225/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/vatican-city-drinks-more-wine-per-person-than-anywhere-else-in-the-world-9151475.html |url-status=live}} 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.Mrowińska, Alina. [https://www.worldcrunch.com/dossier-the-next-pope/behind-the-walls-what-it-039-s-like-to-live-inside-the-vatican-for-a-woman/c8s11033/ "Behind The Walls: What It's Like To Live Inside The Vatican, For A Woman"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101202339/https://www.worldcrunch.com/dossier-the-next-pope/behind-the-walls-what-it-039-s-like-to-live-inside-the-vatican-for-a-woman/c8s11033/ |date=1 January 2016 }}, Gazeta Wyborcza/Worldcrunch, 26 February 2013. Additionally, the high number of petty crimes against tourists creates an inflated per-capita crime rate,{{Cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2639777.stm |title=Vatican crime rate 'soars' |date=8 January 2003 |access-date=6 March 2019 |language=en-GB |archive-date=5 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190205082725/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2639777.stm |url-status=live}} and the state also leads in per-capita wine consumption, largely because of sacramental wine usage in religious ceremonies.

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.{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/the-filter/qi/9930677/QI-some-quite-interesting-facts-about-Popes.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/the-filter/qi/9930677/QI-some-quite-interesting-facts-about-Popes.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=QI: some quite interesting facts about Popes |last1=Miller |first1=Anne |date=14 March 2013 |access-date=6 March 2019 |last2=Mitchinson |first2=John |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}

{{Panorama

| image = File:View from Stpeters.jpg

| height = 230

| alt = 360-degree view from the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, looking over the Vatican's Saint Peter's Square (centre) and out into Rome, showing Vatican City in all directions

| caption = {{center|360-degree view from the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, looking over the Vatican's Saint Peter's Square (centre) and out into Rome, showing Vatican City in all directions}}

}}

{{See also|Architecture of Vatican City|Vatican Museums}}

File:Saint Peter's Basilica facade, Rome, Italy.jpg is one of the most renowned works of Renaissance architecture.{{cite web | title=History, Architects, Relics, Art, & Facts | website=Encyclopedia Britannica | date=20 July 1998 | url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Saint-Peters-Basilica | access-date=18 August 2024}}]]

Vatican City is home to notable works of art and architecture. St. Peter's Basilica, a prominent example of Renaissance architecture, was designed by several architects, including Bramante, Michelangelo, Giacomo della Porta, Maderno, and Bernini. The Sistine Chapel is widely recognized for its frescoes, featuring works by artists such as Perugino, Domenico Ghirlandaio, and Botticelli, along with Michelangelo's ceiling and Last Judgment. The interiors of Vatican buildings also include contributions from artists like Raphael and Fra Angelico.

The Vatican Apostolic Library and the Vatican Museums' collections are valued for their historical, scientific, and cultural significance.{{cite web |url=https://www.openculture.com/2020/01/the-vatican-library-goes-online-and-digitizes-tens-of-thousands-of-manuscripts-books-coins-and-more.html |title=The Vatican Library Goes Online and Digitizes Tens of Thousands of Manuscripts, Books, Coins, and More |date=6 January 2020 |website=Open Culture |access-date=5 April 2022 |archive-date=22 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422174241/https://www.openculture.com/2020/01/the-vatican-library-goes-online-and-digitizes-tens-of-thousands-of-manuscripts-books-coins-and-more.html |url-status=live }} Designated a UNESCO 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 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/286 |title=Vatican City – UNESCO World Heritage Centre |publisher=UNESCO |website=whc.unesco.org |access-date=10 October 2009 |archive-date=25 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225203638/http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/286/ |url-status=live}}

In 1936, Pope Pius XI established the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, building on the foundation of the Pontifical Academy of New Lincei, founded by Pope Pius IX in 1847. Located in the Casina Pio IV, the Academy promotes academic freedom and encourages research in mathematics, physical sciences (including astronomy, Earth sciences, physics, and chemistry), and natural sciences (including medicine, neuroscience, biology, genetics, and biochemistry), while also engaging with epistemological and historical aspects of science. Its members have included notable scientists such as astrophysicist Martin John Rees, mathematician Cédric Villani, theoretical physicist Edward Witten, Nobel laureates in Chemistry Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier, as well as geneticists Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza and Francis Collins, the head transplant pioneer Robert J. White, and the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine Alexander Fleming.{{cite web |url=https://www.pas.va/en/about/history.html|title=History|publisher=Pontifical Academy of Sciences|access-date=24 May 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.pas.va/en/academicians/disciplines.html|title=Disciplines|publisher=Pontifical Academy of Sciences|access-date=24 May 2024}}

Another Vatican-based institution, the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, addresses a wide range of fields, including anthropology, communication studies, information sciences, cybernetics, economics, education, geography, history, law, linguistics, political science, psychology, behavioral sciences, sociology and demography.{{cite web|url=https://www.pass.va/en/academicians/disciplines.html|title=Disciplines|publisher=The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences|access-date=24 May 2024}} The Pontifical Academy for Life, located at the San Callisto complex, focuses on bioethics and ethics related to technology.{{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_academies/index.htm|title=Pontifical academies |publisher=Dicastery for Communication|website=vatican.va|access-date=24 May 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.academyforlife.va/content/pav/it/notizie/2024/nuovo-indirizzo-1-marzo-2024.html|title=Nuova sede dal Primo marzo 2024|publisher=Pontifical Academy for Life|access-date=24 May 2024|language=it|trans-title=New headquarters from 1 March 2024}}

The Vatican Observatory, which traces its origins to the 16th century, initially operated telescopes in Vatican City and at the Palace of Castel Gandolfo. However, light pollution has limited these facilities' effectiveness for research, leading to a partnership with the University of Arizona and the establishment of the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope in Arizona. The Observatory remains active in astronomical research, contributing to areas such as cosmological models, stellar classification, binary stars, and nebulae. Additionally, it participates in philosophical interdisciplinary studies at the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences in Berkeley, California and research on the history of astronomy thanks to its extensive library, which also includes a meteorite collection.{{cite web |url=https://www.vaticanstate.va/it/organismi-scientifici/specola-vaticana.html|title=Specola vaticana|publisher=Vatican City Directorate of Telecommunications and Computer Services|website=vaticanstate.va|access-date=24 May 2024|language=it|trans-title=Vatican Observatory}}

{{Main|Sport in Vatican City}}

File:Prince Albert of Monaco with Vatican football players.jpg greeting the men's football team in June 2013]]

Vatican City is not a member of the International Olympic Committee and does not participate in the Olympic Games. However, it has taken part in other international sporting events, such as the World Cycling Championships,{{cite web | last=Pender | first=Kieran | title=Vatican sends holy rouleur Down Under on world road cycling mission | website=the Guardian | date=23 September 2022 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2022/sep/24/vatican-sends-holy-rouleur-to-wollongong-on-world-road-cycling-mission | access-date=5 April 2024}} the Championships of the Small States of Europe, and the Mediterranean Games.{{cite web | title=Vatican runner to compete in half marathon at Med Games | website=AP News | date=28 June 2022 | url=https://apnews.com/article/sports-africa-religion-marathons-7cc49933950805875868eafce3c398c6 | access-date=5 April 2024 | archive-date=17 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317065921/https://apnews.com/article/sports-africa-religion-marathons-7cc49933950805875868eafce3c398c6 | url-status=live }} The nation has its own athletics association, Vatican Athletics.{{cite web | title=Promoting solidarity and peace through sports | website=L'Osservatore Romano | date=10 November 2023 | url=https://www.osservatoreromano.va/en/news/2023-11/ing-045/promoting-solidarity-and-peace-through-sports.html | access-date=5 April 2024 | archive-date=5 April 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405133324/https://www.osservatoreromano.va/en/news/2023-11/ing-045/promoting-solidarity-and-peace-through-sports.html | url-status=live }}

Football in Vatican City is overseen by the Vatican Amateur Sports Association, which organizes the national championship, known as the Vatican City Championship. This league includes eight teams, such as FC Guardia, representing the Swiss Guard, along with teams from the police and museum guard.{{cite web |url=https://www.guardiasvizzera.va/content/guardiasvizzera/en/guardia/vita-nella-guardia.html |title=Life in the Guard |website=Pontifical Swiss Guard |access-date=10 September 2016 |archive-date=4 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204065802/http://www.guardiasvizzera.va/content/guardiasvizzera/en/guardia/vita-nella-guardia.html |url-status=dead}} The association also manages the Coppa Sergio Valci and the Vatican Supercoppa. Additionally, it oversees the Vatican City national football team, which is not affiliated with either UEFA or FIFA.

{{Main|Economy of Vatican City}}

The economy 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/holy-see-vatican-city/|title=Europe :: Holy See (Vatican City) — The World Factbook - Central Intelligence Agency|website=www.cia.gov|access-date=2019-11-18}}

Vatican City receives subsidies from the Italian state, including a free water supply, tax exemptions, and other forms of dedicated public funding.

Vatican City issues its own coins and stamps and has used the euro as its currency since January 1, 1999, through the Council Decision 1999/98 with the European Union. While euro banknotes are not issued by the Vatican, it began issuing euro 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.{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/economic_and_monetary_affairs/institutional_and_economic_framework/l25040_en.htm|title=Agreements on monetary relations (Monaco, San Marino, the Vatican and Andorra)|access-date=23 February 2007|work=Activities of the European Union: Summaries of legislation}} Due to their limited availability, Vatican euro coins are popular among collectors.{{cite web|url=http://cathnews.acu.edu.au/604/100.html|title=Benedict Vatican euros set for release|access-date=25 September 2014|work=Catholic News|date=21 April 2006}}

As of 2021, Vatican City reported budgeted revenue of €770 million, expenditures of €803 million, and a resulting deficit of €33 million.{{Cite web |date=2022-01-28 |title=Vatican's 2022 "Mission Budget" shows deficit, but less than last year |url=https://international.la-croix.com/news/religion/vaticans-2022-mission-budget-shows-deficit-but-less-than-last-year/15561 |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=international.la-croix.com |language=en}} 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.

Electricity is partially generated by solar panels, which produce up to 442 MWh, with the remainder supplied by Italy.{{cn|date=November 2024}}

Vatican City law comprises various forms, with the canon law of the Catholic Church being the most significant.{{Cite web|title=Pope Francis reforms Vatican City courts with new law|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/43869/pope-francis-reforms-vatican-city-courts-with-new-law|access-date=2021-02-16|website=Catholic News Agency|language=en}} The state's governing bodies operate under the Fundamental Law of Vatican City State, while the Code of Penal Procedure regulates its tribunals, and the Lateran Treaty outlines its relationship with Italy.

{{main|Canon law of the Catholic Church}}

Canon law holds the highest authority within the civil legal system of Vatican City. The Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, a dicastery of the Roman Curia and the top canonical 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 by Pope Benedict XVI, the civil legal system of Vatican City recognizes canon law as its first source of norms and first principle of interpretation. within the Vatican's civil legal system. Pope Francis has affirmed that principles of canon law are essential for interpreting and applying the laws of Vatican City.

{{Main|Fundamental Law of Vatican City State}}

{{see also|Pastor Bonus}}

The civil government of Vatican City is governed by the Fundamental Law, which serves as its constitutional framework. Promulgated by Pope John Paul II on November 26, 2000, the Fundamental Law consists of 20 articlesLaw Library of Congress, [https://www.loc.gov/law/help/guide/nations/holysee.php "Guide to Law Online: Holy See"], accessed Jan-2-2013 and took effect on February 22, 2001, the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter. This law replaced the previous Fundamental Law of Vatican City established by Pope 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 the Acta Apostolicae Sedis. In April 2023, Pope Francis introduced a new Fundamental Law, which came into effect the same year.VaticanState.va, [http://www.vaticanstate.va/NR/rdonlyres/3F574885-EAD5-47E9-A547-C3717005E861/2522/FundamentalLaw1.pdf "Fundamental Law of Vatican City State"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226203911/http://www.vaticanstate.va/NR/rdonlyres/3F574885-EAD5-47E9-A547-C3717005E861/2522/FundamentalLaw1.pdf |date=2008-02-26 }}, concluding paragraphs; accessed Jan-2-2013

The apostolic constitution Praedicate evangelium regulates the Roman Curia, which provides assistance to the pope in governing the Catholic Church.{{Cite web |title=Pope Francis to restructure Roman Curia with major office for evangelization |url=https://www.chicagocatholic.com/vatican/-/article/2019/04/24/pope-francis-to-restructure-roman-curia-with-major-office-for-evangelization |access-date=2021-02-16 |website=Chicago Catholic |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=San Martín |first=Inés |date=Apr 22, 2019 |title=New Vatican document to put evangelization ahead of doctrine |url=https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/04/22/new-vatican-document-to-put-evangelization-ahead-of-doctrine/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425180018/https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/04/22/new-vatican-document-to-put-evangelization-ahead-of-doctrine/ |archive-date=2019-04-25 |access-date=2021-02-16 |website=Crux}}

{{Main|Crime in Vatican City#Police forces}}

The Corpo della Gendarmeria dello Stato della Città del Vaticano is the gendarmerie, and functions as the police and security force for Vatican City and the extraterritorial properties of the Holy See.Il personale del Corpo garantisce la sicurezza e l'ordine pubblico anche nelle zone extraterritoriali di proprietà della Santa Sede. (The Corps also guarantees the security and the public order within the extraterritorial properties of the Holy See). In: {{cite web|url=http://www.vaticanstate.va/IT/Servizi/Direzione_SdS_VVFF/corpo_della_gendarmeria.htm |title=Corpo della Gendarmeria |publisher=Stato della Città del Vaticano |language=it |access-date=2013-01-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121225094441/http://www.vaticanstate.va/IT/Servizi/Direzione_SdS_VVFF/corpo_della_gendarmeria.htm |archive-date=2012-12-25 }} This corps is responsible for various duties, including maintaining security, ensuring public order, conducting border and traffic control, performing criminal 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 the Vatican Fire Brigade, an organ of the Governorate of Vatican City.{{cite web|url=http://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/Structure_Governorate/Gendarme_Corps.htm |title=Gendarme Corps |publisher=Office of the President of Vatican City State |date=2007 |access-date=2007-10-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023001945/http://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/Structure_Governorate/Gendarme_Corps.htm |archive-date=2007-10-23 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/Structure_Governorate/Administrations_and_Central_Offices.htm |title=Administrations and Central Offices |publisher=Office of the President of Vatican City State |date=2007 |access-date=2007-10-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023001914/http://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/Structure_Governorate/Administrations_and_Central_Offices.htm |archive-date=2007-10-23 }} The Pontifical Swiss Guards are specifically tasked with the protection of the pope and the Apostolic Palace.{{cite web |url=http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/swiss_guard/swissguard/compiti_en.htm |title=The Swiss Guard - Duties |website=www.vatican.va |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031207002419/http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/swiss_guard/swissguard/compiti_en.htm |archive-date=2003-12-07}} {{Cite magazine|url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2007/06/what-does-the-swiss-guard-actually-do.html|title = What does the Swiss Guard actually do?| magazine=Slate |date = 6 June 2007 | last1=Beam | first1=Christopher }}

According to Article 3 of the 1929 Lateran Treaty between the Holy See and Italy, St. Peter's Square, while part of Vatican City State, is primarily patrolled by the Italian police up to the steps leading to the basilica. Article 22 of the Lateran Treaty stipulates that the Italian 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.{{cite web |title=Patti Lateranensi |url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/archivio/documents/rc_seg-st_19290211_patti-lateranensi_it.html |publisher=vatican.va |access-date=6 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130813092149/https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/secretariat_state/archivio/documents/rc_seg-st_19290211_patti-lateranensi_it.html |archive-date=13 August 2013 }}[http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2012/05/paolo_gabriele_case_how_does_the_vatican_deal_with_criminals_.html How Does Vatican City Deal With Criminals?] Slate. 30 May 2012. Retrieved on 18 April 2013."[http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,460967,00.html Is the Vatican a Rogue State?]" Spiegel Online. 19 January 2007. Retrieved on 25 August 2010.

The Vatican Gendarmerie maintains a limited number of prison cells. Under the provisions of the Lateran Treaty, individuals convicted of crimes are incarcerated in Italian prisons.{{Cite web|last=Mena|first=Adelaide|title=What are the Vatican's next steps in the child porn case?|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/36814/what-are-the-vaticans-next-steps-in-the-child-porn-case|access-date=2021-02-16|website=Catholic News Agency|language=en}}

{{Main|Crime in Vatican City}}

Crime in Vatican City primarily involves purse snatching, pickpocketing, and shoplifting, typically committed by tourists targeting other tourists.{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2639777.stm|title=Vatican crime rate 'soars'|publisher=BBC|access-date=2007-11-28 | date=January 8, 2003}} St. Peter's Square, with its high tourist traffic, is a common area for such incidents.{{Cite web |url=http://www.romereports.com/palio/vatican-surpasses-all-nations-in-pickpockets-english-3545.html#.UPt_Wc0hclk |title="Vatican surpasses all nations... in pickpockets?", Rome Reports, 14 February, 2011. |access-date=2013-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115144215/http://www.romereports.com/palio/Vatican-surpasses-all-nations-in-pickpockets-english-3545.html#.UPt_Wc0hclk |archive-date=2012-11-15 |url-status=dead }}

Vatican City's small size leads to some statistical anomalies. With 18 million visitors each year,{{Cite web |url=http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1202244.htm |title="Unique Vatican court system tackles petty to serious crimes", Catholic News Service, May 30, 2012. |access-date=January 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004151327/http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1202244.htm |archive-date=October 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} 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 397 civil offenses, equating to a crime rate of 0.87 offenses per person, and 608 penal offenses, or 1.33 per capita.

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{{Vatican City topics}}

Category:Vatican City

Category:Holy See

Category:Microstates in Europe