VATICAN CITY

• Lateran Treaty of 1929
• New Fundamental Law of the Vatican (in Italian, German, Portuguese)
• The Holy See
• Pope John Paul II

The Pope exercises supreme legislative, executive, and judicial power over the Holy See and the State of the Vatican City. The term "Holy See" refers to the composite of the authority, jurisdiction, and sovereignty vested in the Pope and his advisers to direct the worldwide Roman Catholic Church. As the "central government" of the Roman Catholic Church, the Holy See has a legal personality that allows it to enter into treaties as the juridical equal of a state and to send and receive diplomatic representatives. Created in 1929 to administer properties belonging to the Holy See in Rome, the State of the Vatican City is recognized under international law and enters into international agreements. Unlike the Holy See, it does not receive or send diplomatic representatives.

Source: U.S. Department of State

The Vatican legal system is based on canon, or ecclesiastical, law; if canon law is not applicable, the laws of the city of Rome apply. Three tribunals are responsible for judicial power. The Apostolic Penitentiary deals with matters of conscience; the Roman Rota is responsible for appeals, including annulments of marriage; and the Apostolic Signatura is the final court of appeal.

Source: U.S. Department of State