NationMaster - Statistics on Holy See (Vatican City). facts and figures, stats and information on Holy See (Vatican City) economy, crime, people, government, health and education. 2 maps and 21 flags

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, 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.

Borders:

Italy 3.2 km

Alternative names:

Holy See (Vatican City), The Holy See (State of the Vatican City), Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano), Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano), vatican city, vatican, , Holy See, Holy See (Vatican City State), Vatican City (Holy See), Vatican City (The Holy See)

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Holy See (Vatican City)	Vatican City (Holy See) (Political) U.S. Department of State 1975
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COMMENTARY

Pat R.
20th April 2005

GDP per capital of the Holy Nation of the See is listed as $0, but in reality, the ability to direct and solicit funds to be used worldwide, and presumably within the nation of the Catholic Church membership is far more than $0. Since expenses are used to produce its own currency, maintain its own post office, and cultivate its own facilities including an army, the idea of resource drains upon $0 income is unrealistic, and inaccurate. The ability to forge treaties, etc. and the power that accompanies the status and position since 1929 instead creates the practice and the title of being its own nation, carved within the physical boundary of Italy but governing through religion the lives of many millions through its policies and "religious laws," some refer to as "doctrine." Presumably the only missing component is its ability to tax its subjects, and that may not be sufficient to disqualify it from having access to a treasury, or funds sufficient to operate. So, ignoring the economic impact of so well established a governing entity seems illogical.

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