Legal System of Holy See (Vatican City)
Holy See (Vatican City) is located in Europe. It is geographically situated in southern europe, an enclave of rome (italy). The country achieved independence on 11 february 1929. The capital is Vatican City.
Government Overview
Government Type: ecclesiastical elective monarchy; self-described as an “absolute monarchy” Chief of State: Pope LEO XIV (since 8 May 2025) Head of Government: President of the Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City and President of the Governorate of the Vatican City State Fernando VERGEZ ALZAGA (since 1 October 2021) Cabinet: Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City appointed by the pope Suffrage: election of the pope is limited to cardinals under 80 years old
Legal System
The legal system of Holy See (Vatican City) is described as religious system based on canon (religious) law International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Constitutional Framework
The constitution has the following history: previous 1929, 2000; latest issued by Pope FRANCIS 13 May 2023, effective 7 June 2023 (Fundamental Law of Vatican City State, the main governing document of the Vatican’s civil entities); the Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus – the departments and ministries – used by the pontiff in governing the church Amendment Process: although the Fundamental Law of Vatican City State makes no mention of amendments, Article Four (drafting laws), states that this legislative responsibility resides with the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State; draft legislation is submitted through the Secretariat of State and considered by the pope
Judicial Branch
Highest Court(s): Supreme Court or Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura (consists of the cardinal prefect, who serves as ex-officio president of the court, and 2 other cardinals of the Prefect Signatura) Judge Selection: cardinal prefect appointed by the pope; the other 2 cardinals of the court appointed by the cardinal prefect on a yearly basis Subordinate Courts: Appellate Court of Vatican City; Tribunal of Vatican City
Legislative Branch
The legislative structure consists of unicameral
Citizenship and Suffrage
Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: no Suffrage: election of the pope is limited to cardinals under 80 years old
Historical Background
Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid-19th century, when the newly established Kingdom of Italy seized many of the Papal States. In 1870, the pope’s holdings were further circumscribed when Rome itself was annexed.
This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Holy See (Vatican City) based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.