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, 2010Vatican 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.
- APRIL 15, 2009Vatican CityDEATH PENALTY
USA - New Mexico / Italy / Vatican: Governor Bill Richardson met Pope Benedict today before commemorating New Mexico's repeal of the death penalty. then he met Rome's Mayor, Gianni Alemanno
USA - New Mexico / Italy / Vatican: Governor Bill Richardson met Pope Benedict today before commemorating New Mexico's repeal of the death penalty. then he met Rome's Mayor, Gianni Alemanno
- JANUARY 5, 2009Vatican CityDEATH PENALTY
HOLY SEE: POPE HAILS UN CALL FOR DEATH PENALTY MORATORIUM
Pope Benedict XVI hailed last month's UN resolution calling for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty and called for a debate on the sanctity of life.
- JANUARY 1, 2009Vatican 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.
- DECEMBER 2, 2008Vatican CityDEATH PENALTY
VATICAN NOT IN FAVOR OF DEATH PENALTY FOR GAYS
a proposed EU declaration which would condemn “discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity” was criticised by Archbishop Celestino Migliore, who heads the Holy See’s permanent observer mission to the United Nations.
- JANUARY 1, 2008Vatican 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 19, 2007Vatican CityDEATH PENALTY
VATICAN SPOKESMAN BACKS UN DRIVE TO END DEATH PENALTY
the Vatican's official spokesman praised a UN initiative calling for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty, calling it “a step in the direction of humanity and of respect for the person.”
- FEBRUARY 3, 2007Vatican CityDEATH PENALTY
VATICAN. POPE’S MESSAGE TO THE WORLD CONGRESS
The Third World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Paris concluded with a message from Pope
- JANUARY 1, 2007Vatican 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, 2006Vatican 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.
- DECEMBER 13, 2005Vatican CityDEATH PENALTY
VATICAN CITY. VATICAN DEPLORES EXECUTION OF US GANG LEADER
the Vatican said there was no room for the death sentence in the modern world after the execution in a US jail of former Los Angeles gang leader Stanley Williams.
- APRIL 19, 2005Vatican CityDEATH PENALTY
VATICAN CITY. ANTI-DEATH PENALTY COURSE LIKELY TO PERSIST WITH NEW POPE
Catholic leaders and scholars said that they expected new Pope Benedict XVI to continue his predecessor's strong opposition to the death penalty.