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| Country name: |
conventional long form:
The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)
conventional short form:
Holy See (Vatican City)
local long form:
Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)
local short form:
Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)
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| Government type: |
ecclesiastical
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| Independence: |
11 February 1929 (from Italy)
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| National holiday: |
Coronation Day of Pope JOHN PAUL II, 22 October (1978)
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| Constitution: |
Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968)
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| Suffrage: |
limited to cardinals less than 80 years old
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| Executive branch: |
chief of state:
Pope JOHN PAUL II (since 16 October 1978)
head of government:
Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo SODANO (since 2 December 1990)
cabinet:
Pontifical Commission appointed by the pope
elections:
pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the pope
election results:
Karol WOJTYLA elected pope
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| Legislative branch: |
unicameral Pontifical Commission
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| Judicial branch: |
none; normally handled by Italy
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| Political parties and leaders: |
none
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| Political pressure groups and leaders: |
none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers)
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| International organization participation: |
CE (observer), IAEA, ICFTU, Intelsat, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WHO (observer), WIPO, WToO (observer), WTrO (observer)
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| Diplomatic representation in the US: |
chief of mission:
Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Gabriele MONTALVO
chancery:
3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
[1] (202) 333-7121
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| Diplomatic representation from the US: |
chief of mission:
Ambassador (vacant)
embassy:
Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00162 Rome
mailing address:
PSC 59, Box F, APO AE 09624
telephone:
[39] (06) 4674-3428
FAX:
[39] (06) 5758346
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| Flag description: |
two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter centered in the white band
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