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Country name:
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conventional long form: The Holy See (Vatican City State)
conventional short form:
Holy See (Vatican City)
local long form:
La Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)
local short form:
Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)
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Government type:
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ecclesiastical
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Capital:
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name: Vatican City
geographic coordinates:
41 54 N, 12 27 E
time difference:
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:
+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
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Administrative divisions:
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none
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Independence:
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11 February 1929 (from Italy); note - the three treaties signed with Italy on 11 February 1929 acknowledged, among other things, the full sovereignty of the Holy See and established its territorial extent; however, the origin of the Papal States, which over centuries varied considerably in extent, may be traced back to 754
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National holiday:
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Election Day of Pope FRANCIS, 13 March (2013)
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Constitution:
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Fundamental Law promulgated by Pope JOHN PAUL II 26 November 2000, effective 22 February 2001 (replaced the first Fundamental Law of 1929)
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Legal system:
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religious legal system based on canon (religious) law
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International law organization participation:
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has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
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Suffrage:
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election of the pope is limited to cardinals less than 80 years old
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: Pope FRANCIS (since 13 March 2013)
head of government:
Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio BERTONE (since 15 September 2006); note - has also been Camerlengo since 4 April 2007
cabinet:
Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City appointed by the pope
(For more information visit the World Leaders website  )
elections:
pope elected for life, or until voluntary resignation, by the College of Cardinals; election last held on 13 March 2013 (next to be held after the death or resignation of the current pope); Secretary of State appointed by the pope
election results:
Jorge Mario BERGOGLIO elected Pope FRANCIS
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State
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Judicial branch:
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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, papal directive, of Pope PIUS XII on 1 May 1946
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Political parties and leaders:
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none
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers)
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International organization participation:
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CE (observer), IAEA, Interpol, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, Schengen Convention (de facto member), UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, Union Latina (observer), UNWTO (observer), UPU, WIPO, WTO (observer)
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief of mission: Apostolic Nuncio Carlo Maria VIGANO
chancery:
3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
[1] (202) 333-7121
FAX:
[1] (202) 337-4036
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Mario MESQUITA
embassy:
Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00153 Rome
mailing address:
Unit 5660, Box 66, DPO AE 09624-0066
telephone:
[39] (06) 4674-3428
FAX:
[39] (06) 575-8346
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Flag description:
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two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the arms of the Holy See, consisting of the crossed keys of Saint Peter surmounted by the three-tiered papal tiara, centered in the white band; the yellow color represents the pope's spiritual power, the white his worldly power
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National symbol(s):
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crossed keys
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National anthem:
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name: "Inno e Marcia Pontificale" (Hymn and Pontifical March); often called The Pontifical Hymn
lyrics/music:
Raffaello LAVAGNA/Charles-Francois GOUNOD
note:
adopted 1950
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