Abstract
HISTORY. For many centuries the Popes bore temporal sway over a territory stretching across mid-Italy from sea to sea and comprising some 17,000 sq. miles, with a population finally of over 3m. In 1859–60 and 1870 the Papal States were incorporated with the Italian Kingdom. The consequent dispute between Italy and successive Popes was only settled on 11 Feb. 1929 by three treaties between the Italian Government and the Vatican: (1) A Political Treaty, which recognized the full and independent sovereignty of the Holy See in the city of the Vatican; (2) a Concordat, to regulate the condition of religion and of the Church in Italy; and (3) a Financial Convention, in accordance with which the Holy See received 750m. lire in cash and 1,000m. lire in Italian 5% state bonds. This sum was to be a definitive settlement of all the financial claims of the Holy See against Italy in consequence of the loss of its temporal power in 1870. The treaty and concordat were ratified on 7 June 1929. The treaty has been embodied in the Constitution of the Italian Republic of 1947.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Books of Reference
Acta Apostolicœ Sedis Romance. Rome
Annuario Pontificio. Rome. Annual
L’Attività della Santa Sede. Rome, Annual
The Catholic Directory. London. Annual
Codex Juris Canonici. Latest ed., 1948
Atlas Missionum. Vatican City, 1958
Bilan du Monde: Encyclopédie catholique du monde chrétien. Tournai, 1964
Cardinale, Mgr. Igino, Le Saint-Siège et la diplomatie. Paris and Rome, 1962
Hales, E. E., The Catholic Church and the Modern World London, 1958
Kerr, W. S., A Handbook on the Papacy London, 1950
Nichols, P., The Politics of the Vatican London, 1968
Pallenborg, C., Vatican Finances Harmondsworth, 1971
Purdy, W., The Church on the Move London, 1966
Editor information
Copyright information
© 1976 Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Paxton, J. (1976). Vatican City State. In: Paxton, J. (eds) The Statesman’s Year-Book. The Statesman’s Yearbook. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230271050_168
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230271050_168
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Online ISBN: 978-0-230-27105-0
eBook Packages: Palgrave Political & Intern. Studies CollectionPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)