f the Vatican
City) conventional short form: Holy See (Vatican City) local short form:
Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano) local long form: Santa Sede (Stato della
Citta del Vaticano)

Government type: ecclesiastical

Capital: Vatican City

Administrative divisions: none

Independence: 11 February 1929 (from Italy)

National holiday: Coronation Day of Pope JOHN PAUL II, 22 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 (since 16 October
1978) head of government: Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo SODANO
(since 2 December
Pontifical Commission appointed by the pope elections: 16 October 1978
(next to be held after the death of the current pope);
secretary of state appointed by the pope election results: Karol WOJTYLA
elected pope

Legislative branch: unicameral Pontifical Commission

Judicial branch: there are three tribunals responsible for civil and
criminal matters within Vatican City; three other tribunals rule on
issues pertaining to the Holy See note: judicial duties were established
by the Motu Proprio of Pius XII on 1 May 1946

Political parties and leaders: none

Political pressure groups and leaders: none (exclusive of influence
exercised by church officers)

International organization participation: CE (observer), IAEA, ICFTU, IOM
(observer), ITU, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer),
UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WHO (observer), WIPO, WToO (observer), WTrO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US: Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop
Gabriel MONTALVO telephone: Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
R. James "Jim" NICHOLSON embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane
26, 00162 Rome mailing address: PSC 59, Box F, APO AE 09624 telephone:
[39] (06) 4674-3428 FAX: [39] (06) 5758346

Flag description: 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 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 publication