alian, Latin, and various other languages
Literacy:
100% (male NA%, female NA%)
Labor force:
high dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers who live
outside the Vatican
Organized labor:
Association of Vatican Lay Workers, 1,800 members (1987)

:Holy See (Vatican City) Government

Long-form name:
State of the Vatican City; note - the Vatican City is the physical seat of
the Holy See, which is the central government of the Roman Catholic Church
Type:
monarchical-sacerdotal state
Capital:
Vatican City
Independence:
11 February 1929 (from Italy)
Constitution:
Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968)
National holiday:
Installation Day of the Pope (John Paul II), 22 October (1978); note - Pope
John Paul II was elected on 16 October 1978
Executive branch:
pope
Legislative branch:
unicameral Pontifical Commission
Judicial branch:
none; normally handled by Italy
Leaders:
Chief of State:
Pope JOHN PAUL II (Karol WOJTYA; since 16 October 1978)
Head of Government:
Secretary of State Archbishop Angelo SODANO
Political parties and leaders:
none
Suffrage:
limited to cardinals less than 80 years old
Elections:
Pope:
last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of the current
pope); results - Karol WOJTYA was elected for life by the College of
Cardinals
Other political or pressure groups:
none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers)
Member of:
CSCE, IAEA, ICFTU, IMF (observer), INTELSAT, IOM (observer), ITU, OAS
(observer), UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WIPO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation:
Apostolic Pro-Nuncio Archbishop Agostino CACCIAVILLAN; 3339 Massachusetts
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 333-7121
US:
Ambassador Thomas P. MELADY; Embassy at Villino Pacelli, Via Aurelia 294,
00165 Rome (mailing address is APO AE 09624); telephone [396] 639-0558
Flag:
two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossed keys of
Saint Peter and the papal tiara centered in the white band

:Holy See (Vatican City) Economy

Overview:
This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by contributions
(known as Peter's Pence) from Roman Catholics throughout the world, the sale
of postage stamps and tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, and
the sale of publ