Why is vatican city a country

This created a political controversy. In their role as the Bishop of Rome the Popes had historically roled the city. The long-running tradition had been that the Pope was beyond the jurisdiction of any other earthly government. When Italian troops took control of Rome, this created a religious and political controversy called "The Roman Question. The new Italian government intended to establish its capital in Rome, the premier city on the Italian peninsula, but to do so would have been considered an affront to the leader of millions of Catholics throughout Europe and in Italy.

The Pope would become a subject of King Victor Emmanuel. Pope Pius IX found this unacceptable. He and four of his successors refused to deal with the Italian Kingdom, remaining on the grounds of the Vatican Palace until After intensive negotiations, the Lateran Treaty established the Vatican City as we know it today, giving the Papacy a small but very valuable area where it retained governmental control. The creation of an independent Vatican City, governed directly by the Holy See, allowed the Kingdom of Italy to establish its capital in Rome while allowing the Holy See to retain its independence from Italy.

The Vatican City was neutral territory throughout the war, although then Pope Pius XII did issue some pointed criticism of antisemitism and racism. Vatican City was never occupied by Italian, German, or Allied troops. Today the Holy See has formal relations with countries, and 89 nations have appointed ambassadors to it, though none of their embassies are located in the Vatican City.

The Holy See is also a non-member observer at the United Nations. It participates in debates but does not vote in the General Assembly. The Vatican City holds an odd place in the international order. In many ways it functions as an independent state, but it is the Holy See -- the office of the Papacy -- that is recognized in international law and diplomacy.

The Vatican City is reasonably easy to access once you have gained entry into Rome itself. There are no border checks. There are several rail and subway stations within half a dozen blocks. You don't have to be Catholic to visit, but you should dress modestly and be respectful of the many religious sites inside the Vatican. Vatican City is the smallest country in the world.

Vatican City is governed as an absolute monarchy with the pope at its head. The Vatican mints its own euros, prints its own stamps, issues passports and license plates, operates media outlets and has its own flag and anthem.

One government function it lacks: taxation. A Roman necropolis stood on Vatican Hill in pagan times. When a great fire leveled much of Rome in A. He executed them by burning them at the stake, tearing them apart with wild beasts and crucifying them. Among those crucified was St. Peter—disciple of Jesus Christ, leader of the Apostles and the first bishop of Rome—who was supposedly buried in a shallow grave on Vatican Hill. By the fourth century and official recognition of the Christian religion in Rome, Emperor Constantine began construction of the original basilica atop the ancient burial ground with what was believed to be the tomb of St.

Peter at its center. The present basilica, built starting in the s, sits over a maze of catacombs and St. Has people who live there on an ongoing basis. Yes, the Vatican City is home to approximately full-time residents who maintain passports from their home country and diplomatic passports from the Vatican. Thus, it is as though the entire country is composed of diplomats. In addition to the over residents, approximately people work at the Vatican City and commute into the country from the greater Rome metropolitan area.

Has economic activity and an organized economy. A country regulates foreign and domestic trade and issues money. The Vatican relies on the sale of postage stamps and tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, and the sale of publications as governmental revenue. The Vatican City issues its own coins. There is not much foreign trade but there is significant foreign investment by the Catholic Church. Has the power of social engineering, such as education.

Has a transportation system for moving goods and people. There are no highways, railroads, or airports. The Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. As a landlocked country surrounded by Rome, the country relies on the Italian infrastructure for access to the Vatican City. Has a government that provides public services and police power. Electricity, telephones, and other utilities are provided by Italy.

External defense of the Vatican City against foreign enemies is the responsibility of Italy. Employees do not pay income tax and there is no duty tax on imports. Without taxes, how does the Vatican financially survive? The sales of stamps, coins, souvenirs and entry tickets fund the Vatican. Additionally, the clergy living in the Vatican have a very modest paycheque. Many of them take vows of poverty when they become priests.

The Pope is not paid at all for his work! Though the population of the Vatican is approximately , on of those people hold Vatican citizenship. Individuals who have to reside in the city because of their office or service receive citizenship. In most cases, the Vatican revokes citizenship once employment ceases.

If a person holds only Vatican citizenship and then leaves their position, they are automatically granted Italian citizenship. Generally speaking, the Vatican operates under the same laws in Italy. Until the Vatican automatically adopted all Italian laws as they were passed through Italian parliament. In , amidst the rise in reporting of Catholic Church sexual abuse cases, the Vatican came under fire for its age of consent. The church does not believe in extramarital sexual relations, and the age of consent was not important.

However, in the age of consent became age 18 from age