nic divisions: Italians, Swiss

Religions: Roman Catholic

Languages: Italian, Latin, various other languages

Government
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Name of country:
conventional long form: The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)
conventional short form: Holy See (Vatican City)
local long form: Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)
local short form: Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)

Data code: VT

Type of government: monarchical-sacerdotal state

Capital: Vatican City

Independence: 11 February 1929 (from Italy)

National holiday: Installation Day of the Pope, 22 October (1978)
(John Paul II)
note: Pope John Paul II was elected on 16 October 1978

Constitution: Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March
1968)

Legal system: NA

Suffrage: limited to cardinals less than 80 years old

Executive branch:
chief of state: Pope JOHN PAUL II (Karol WOJTYLA; since 16 October
1978) was elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election
last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of the
current pope); results - Karol WOJTYLA was elected for life by the
College of Cardinals
head of government: Secretary of State Archbishop Angelo Cardinal
SODANO (since NA 1991) was appointed by the pope
cabinet: Pontifical Commission was appointed by Pope

Legislative branch: unicameral Pontifical Commission

Judicial branch: none; normally handled by Italy

Political parties and leaders: none

Other political or pressure groups: none (exclusive of influence
exercised by church officers)

International organization participation: IAEA, ICFTU, Intelsat,
IOM (observer), ITU, OAS (observer), OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD,
UNHCR, UPU, WIPO, WToO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Apostolic Pro-Nuncio Archbishop Agostino
CACCIAVILLAN
chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Raymond L. FLYNN
embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via Delle Terme Deciane 26, Rome 00153
mailing address: PSC 59, APO AE 09624
telephone: [39] (6) 46741
FAX: [39] (6) 5758346, 57300682

Flag: two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the
crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter centered in the
white band

Economy
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Economic overview: This unique, noncommercial economy is supported
financially by contri