The Vatican City, often simply referred to as the Vatican, is the smallest independent city-state in the world, both in terms of area and population. Enclaved within the city of Rome, it stands out as a sovereign state that operates independently from Italy. The Vatican is the spiritual and administrative headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as the residence of the Pope, the Church’s leader, and the location of some of the most important religious and historical landmarks, including St. Peter’s Basilica, the Apostolic Palace, and the Sistine Chapel.
For many, it may seem strange that the Vatican, despite being located entirely within Rome, is not a part of Italy. The reason for the Vatican’s independence can be traced back to centuries of political conflict, religious power struggles, and the unique role the Pope and the Catholic Church have played in European history. In this article, we will explore the historical context that led to the Vatican becoming an independent state, the significance of the Lateran Treaty, and why the Vatican continues to exist as a separate entity from Italy.
1. Historical Background: The Papal States and the Pope’s Temporal Power
To understand why the Vatican is not part of Italy, we must first explore the historical concept of the Papal States. The Papal States were a collection of territories in central Italy that were under the direct control of the Pope. These states existed from the 8th century until the late 19th century and played a crucial role in the political landscape of Italy and Europe. The Pope, as both the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church and a temporal ruler (a political sovereign), wielded significant political and religious influence.
The origins of the Papal States can be traced back to 756 AD, when Pepin the Short, the King of the Franks, donated land to the Pope. This territory, known as the Donation of Pepin, marked the beginning of the Pope’s temporal rule over a large part of Italy. Over the centuries, the Papal States expanded to include vast territories that stretched across central Italy, with Rome as its capital.
As the ruler of the Papal States, the Pope was not only the head of the Catholic Church but also a political figure who governed these lands. This dual role gave the Pope immense power, both religiously and politically. The Papal States were important not just for their size but also for their strategic location in the heart of the Italian Peninsula, making the Pope a key player in European politics.
However, this temporal power of the Pope eventually came into conflict with the emerging political movements of the 19th century, particularly the unification of Italy.
2. The Unification of Italy and the Loss of the Papal States
During the 19th century, Italy was not a unified country but a patchwork of independent states and territories, many of which were under foreign control. The movement for Italian unification (known as the Risorgimento) sought to bring these states together into a single, unified kingdom. This movement gained momentum in the mid-1800s under the leadership of figures like Giuseppe Garibaldi, Count Camillo di Cavour, and King Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia.
One of the major obstacles to Italian unification was the existence of the Papal States, which divided the Italian Peninsula both geographically and politically. The Pope, as the ruler of these territories, was opposed to the idea of a unified Italy, as it would mean the loss of his political sovereignty. The Catholic Church viewed the Papal States as essential to maintaining the Pope’s independence from secular rulers, ensuring that the Church could operate without interference from kings and emperors.
The conflict between the supporters of Italian unification and the Papacy came to a head in 1870. In that year, the Kingdom of Italy, led by King Victor Emmanuel II, completed its campaign to unify the country by capturing Rome. Italian troops entered the city on September 20, 1870, and the Papal States were officially annexed into the Kingdom of Italy. This event marked the end of the Pope’s temporal rule over the Papal States, and Italy was finally united as a single nation-state.
However, the Pope refused to recognize the legitimacy of the new Italian government’s control over Rome and declared himself a “prisoner in the Vatican.” This standoff between the Italian state and the Catholic Church would continue for nearly 60 years, with the Pope retreating into the Vatican and refusing to leave the confines of the Apostolic Palace.
3. The Roman Question: A Prolonged Dispute
The period from 1870 to 1929, known as the Roman Question, was marked by a bitter dispute between the Italian government and the Catholic Church over the status of the Pope and the Vatican. Following the annexation of the Papal States, the Italian government attempted to reconcile with the Church by offering the Law of Guarantees in 1871, which promised the Pope certain privileges, including the right to govern the Vatican and receive financial compensation for the loss of the Papal States.
However, Pope Pius IX rejected the Law of Guarantees, viewing it as an unacceptable compromise that would reduce the Pope to a subject of the Italian state. He and his successors refused to recognize the Kingdom of Italy’s authority over Rome and continued to claim sovereignty over the Vatican. The papacy maintained that the loss of the Papal States undermined the Pope’s ability to exercise his spiritual authority independently from secular powers.
During this period, the Catholic Church also encouraged Italian Catholics to refrain from participating in the political life of the new Italian state, a policy known as non expedit (meaning “it is not expedient”). This led to a tense relationship between the Vatican and the Italian government, with the Pope effectively isolating himself within the Vatican’s walls.
The Roman Question remained unresolved for decades, and the Pope’s status as a sovereign entity was left in a state of limbo. Both the Italian government and the Catholic Church recognized that a resolution was needed, but it would take a significant political shift to bring about a lasting agreement.
4. The Lateran Treaty of 1929: The Birth of Vatican City
The Roman Question was finally resolved with the signing of the Lateran Treaty in 1929. This historic agreement between the Holy See (the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Catholic Church) and the Kingdom of Italy was negotiated under the leadership of Pope Pius XI and Benito Mussolini, who was the head of the Italian government at the time. The treaty was signed on February 11, 1929, at the Lateran Palace, hence its name.
The Lateran Treaty recognized the Vatican as an independent and sovereign state, formally establishing Vatican City as a city-state with full political and legal autonomy. This agreement granted the Pope complete control over Vatican City and guaranteed its independence from Italy. In return, the Holy See recognized the Kingdom of Italy, with Rome as its capital.
Key Provisions of the Lateran Treaty:
- Sovereignty: Vatican City was established as a fully independent and sovereign state under the rule of the Pope. It has its own governance, laws, and military force (the Swiss Guard), and it operates independently of the Italian government.
- Territory: Vatican City is a tiny state, encompassing just 44 hectares (110 acres) within Rome. Its borders are clearly defined, and it includes important religious and administrative buildings such as St. Peter’s Basilica, the Apostolic Palace, and the Vatican Museums.
- Compensation: The Italian government agreed to pay financial compensation to the Holy See for the loss of the Papal States. This included a lump sum payment and a yearly subsidy, which helped stabilize the Church’s finances after decades of conflict.
- Religion: The treaty established Roman Catholicism as the official state religion of Italy, though this provision was later abolished when Italy became a secular state following World War II.
The Lateran Treaty marked the official resolution of the Roman Question, and it created a new framework for relations between the Catholic Church and the Italian state. For the first time in nearly 60 years, the Pope was able to exercise both spiritual and temporal authority within the independent territory of Vatican City, while Italy maintained its sovereignty over the rest of the country, including Rome.
5. The Vatican’s Status as a Sovereign City-State
Today, the Vatican remains a sovereign city-state, the smallest in the world in both size and population. Its unique status is a product of its historical role as the center of the Catholic Church and the spiritual authority of the Pope. The Vatican operates as an independent state, with its own governance, postal service, and diplomatic relations. It even issues its own currency and license plates.
The Vatican’s independence is crucial to the functioning of the Catholic Church. By maintaining its status as a sovereign state, the Vatican ensures that the Pope and the Church can operate without interference from secular governments. This independence allows the Pope to serve as a global religious leader, free from the political pressures that might arise if the Vatican were part of a larger nation-state.
In addition to its role as the spiritual center of Catholicism, the Vatican is a major cultural and historical site. Its vast art collections, including the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums, attract millions of visitors from around the world each year. These treasures, along with its religious significance, make the Vatican one of the most important cultural and religious centers in the world.
6. Modern Relations Between the Vatican and Italy
While the Vatican is a sovereign state, it maintains a close and cooperative relationship with Italy. The two states have diplomatic relations, and the Vatican plays a significant role in the cultural and religious life of Rome. St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican’s main plaza, is a focal point for both religious events and political meetings, often hosting massive crowds for papal addresses, including the famous Urbi et Orbi blessings delivered on Christmas and Easter.
Despite the Vatican’s independence, many aspects of its daily functioning are intertwined with Italy. For example, the Vatican relies on Italy for services such as electricity, water, and security at its borders. Moreover, many of the Vatican’s employees are Italian, and the Pope has historically maintained close relations with Italian political leaders.
Italy, on the other hand, benefits from the Vatican’s global presence. As the center of the Catholic Church, the Vatican draws millions of pilgrims and tourists to Rome each year, contributing significantly to the local economy. The Vatican’s diplomatic relations with other countries also provide Italy with a unique platform for international dialogue and cooperation on religious and humanitarian issues.
Conclusion
The Vatican’s status as an independent city-state, separate from Italy, is the result of a complex and often contentious history. From its origins as the center of the Papal States to its loss of political power during the unification of Italy, the Vatican has navigated centuries of political conflict to maintain its independence. The signing of the Lateran Treaty in 1929 formalized this independence, creating the sovereign state of Vatican City and resolving the longstanding conflict between the Catholic Church and the Italian government.
Today, the Vatican remains a unique entity—both a spiritual center for millions of Catholics around the world and a political state governed by the Pope. Its independence is essential to its role as the global headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, ensuring that the Church can operate without interference from secular authorities. While it is located within the heart of Rome, the Vatican’s distinct status and the historical reasons behind its independence continue to make it one of the most fascinating and influential microstates in the world.