Origins and Characteristics

Vatican City State was created by the Lateran Treaty stipulated between the Holy See and Italy on 11 February 1929 and ratified on 7 June 1929.

Its personality as Sovereign entity under International Law, separate from the Holy See, is universally recognized.

The Catholic Church carries out its mission of proclaiming the truth of the Gospel, for the salvation of mankind, and its service of peace and justice in favour of all peoples, through the various particular and local churches throughout the world, and through its central government, constituted by the Pope and by the Bodies that assist him in his responsibility to the universal Church (designated with the name Apostolic See or Holy See).

The Supreme Pontiff resides in Vatican City State, where some of the Bodies mentioned are also located.

The State thus has the unique characteristic of being an instrument of the Holy See and the Catholic Church’s independence from any established power. In a way, it is the sign of the supernatural nature of the Church herself, since the structures of Vatican City State are reduced to the bare minimum required to carry out its functions.