PRAYING FOR THE WORLD capable of diplomatic relations with other countries and have the permanent observer status in meetings of the United Nations. ONE COUNTRY AT A TIME Unlike Vatican City which became a state in 1929, the Holy See “God so loved the world…” shouldn’t we? came into existence during the early church days and is an Holy See (Vatican City) eternal establishment which is not dissolved upon the death of Information compiled by Ai Elgersma the Pope. Before the Lateran Treaty, the Holy See played both Oct 13, 2019 secular and spiritual leadership. However, the unification of Italy Source: CIA World Factbook made the Pope a prisoner within the Vatican between 1846 and https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-the-difference-between-vatican-city-and- the-holy-see.html 1929 until Pope Pius IX signed the Lateran treaty and gave up https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Francis secular leadership to focus on spiritual matters. The Holy See now without territorial powers and features of a state such as permanent citizenship is recognized as a legal entity in international law with the capacity to enter into agreements and engage in diplomatic relations with other countries, a status reaffirmed by the Lateran Treaty. On the other hand, Vatican City is the smallest country in the world established by the Lateran Treaty of 1929 between the Kingdom of Italy and the Holy See. The country is located in Rome and occupies an area of 44 hectares. Vatican City exists as an absolute ecclesiastical monarchy and is not recognized as a democracy, therefore not a member of most international organizations such as the United Nations. The Pope is the overall authority within Vatican City. The government is divided into the executive, judiciary and legislature arms. Pope Francis is the current head of state in Vatican City and the Bishop of Rome.

Vatican citizens are mainly those working for the Holy See whose citizenship may be revoked by the pope at any time or when they CAPITAL: Vatican City cease working for the Holy See. Those who lose Vatican

citizenship automatically become Italian citizens. LOCATION: Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy) Economy: The Holy See is supported financially by a variety of Population: 1,000 sources, including investments, real estate income, and Overview: Most people think the Holy See and Vatican City can donations from Catholic individuals, dioceses, and institutions; be used interchangeably. However, Vatican City and the Holy these help fund the Roman Curia (Vatican bureaucracy), See are entirely distinct entities. The Holy See is the central diplomatic missions, and media outlets. Moreover, an annual governing body of the entire Roman Catholic Church located collection taken up in dioceses and from direct donations go to a within the Vatican City. The Holy See (Sancta Sedes) is an non-budgetary fund, known as Peter's Pence, which is used independent sovereign entity and the top spiritual governing directly by the pope for charity, disaster relief, and aid to body. The Bishop of Rome rules through the Roman Curia. The churches in developing nations. International bodies recognize the Holy See as a sovereign body, The separate Vatican City State budget includes the Vatican museums and post office and is supported financially by the sale of stamps, coins, medals, and tourist mementos as well as fees for admission to museums and publication sales. The Holy See did not escape the financial difficulties experienced by other European countries; in 2012, it started a spending review to determine where to cut costs to reverse its 2011 budget deficit of $20 million. The Holy See generated a modest surplus in 2012 before recording a $32 million deficit in 2013, driven primarily by the decreasing value of gold. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome so most public expenditures go to wages and other personnel costs. Religion: Roman Catholic

Prayers of Thanksgiving and petition: Pope Francis is the current head of the Holy See and sovereign of the Vatican City. Francis is the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, the first to visit the Arabian Peninsula, and the first pope from outside Europe since the Syrian Grogory III (in the 8th century). Throughout his public life, Pope Francis has been noted for his humility, emphasis on God’s mercy, international visibility as Pope, concern for the poor and commitment to interfaith dialogue. In recent years, Pope Francis has also faced increasingly open criticism, particularly from theological conservatives. Present concerns of the Holy See include: • Religious freedom • Threats against minority Christian communities in Africa and the Middle East • The plight of refugees and migrants • Sexual misconduct by clergy • International development • Interreligious dialogue and reconciliation • The application of church doctrine in an era of rapid change and globalization (about 1.3 billion people worldwide profess Catholicism - the world's largest Christian faith)