Vatican City
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- elective ecclesiastical monarchy; self-defined as an "absolute monarchy"
- CONSTITUTION
- February 22, 2001 (Fundamental Law of the Vatican City State, main regulatory act of Vatican civil entities); in June 2018, Pope Francis approved the first draft of the Council of Cardinals for the new apostolic constitution, Predicato Evangelium (Preaching the Gospel); it came into effect on June 5, 2022, replacing Pastor Bonus, the previous governing document of the Roman Curia
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- religious legal system based on canon law (religious); it has not submitted to the jurisdiction of the ICJ
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- unicameral, Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Supreme Court or Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura (composed of the cardinal prefect, who serves as the ex officio president of the tribunal, and 2 other cardinals from the Prefectural Signatura); Court of Appeal of the Vatican City; Tribunal of the Vatican City
RELIGIONS
Roman Catholic
From the country
- JANUARY 1, 2017Vatican CityDEATH PENALTY
The Vatican formally abolished the death penalty from its constitution in 2001.
The Vatican formally abolished the death penalty from its constitution in 2001.
- JUNE 21, 2016Vatican CityDEATH PENALTY
POPE FRANCIS: VIDEO MESSAGE TO DEATH PENALTY CONFERENCE
Pope Francis sent a video message to the participants in the Sixth World Conference Against the Death Penalty, taking place this week in Oslo, Norway.
- JANUARY 1, 2016Vatican CityDEATH PENALTY
The Vatican formally abolished the death penalty from its constitution in 2001.
The Vatican formally abolished the death penalty from its constitution in 2001.
- MARCH 5, 2015Vatican CityDEATH PENALTY
VATICAN CITY STATE: HOLY SEE CALLS FOR A GLOBAL MORATORIUM ON DEATH PENALTY
The Holy See called today for a global moratorium on the use of the death penalty aiming at the abolition.
- JANUARY 1, 2015Vatican CityDEATH PENALTY
The Vatican formally abolished the death penalty from its constitution in 2001.
The Vatican formally abolished the death penalty from its constitution in 2001.
- OCTOBER 23, 2014Vatican CityDEATH PENALTY
VATICAN CITY: POPE FRANCIS BLASTS SUPERMAX PRISONS AS ‘TORTURE’
Pope Francis said that keeping inmates isolated in maximum security prisons is “a form of torture,” and called life sentences “a hidden death penalty” that should be abolished along with capital punishment.
- JANUARY 1, 2014Vatican CityDEATH PENALTY
The Vatican formally abolished the death penalty from its constitution in 2001.
The Vatican formally abolished the death penalty from its constitution in 2001.
- JANUARY 1, 2013Vatican CityDEATH PENALTY
The Vatican formally abolished the death penalty from its constitution in 2001.
The Vatican formally abolished the death penalty from its constitution in 2001.
- JUNE 5, 2012Vatican CityDEATH PENALTY
USA - Vatican City. 'Vatileaks' sheds light on Chicago's Cardinal Francis George's role in politics
USA - Vatican City. 'Vatileaks' sheds light on Chicago's Cardinal Francis George's role in politics
- JANUARY 1, 2012Vatican CityDEATH PENALTY
The Vatican formally abolished the death penalty from its constitution in 2001.
The Vatican formally abolished the death penalty from its constitution in 2001.
- NOVEMBER 30, 2011Vatican CityDEATH PENALTY
POPE SEEKS END TO DEATH PENALTY
Pope Benedict XVI voiced support for political actions around the world aimed at eliminating the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2011Vatican CityDEATH PENALTY
The Vatican formally abolished the death penalty from its constitution in 2001.
The Vatican formally abolished the death penalty from its constitution in 2001.