Capital: Vatican City
Independence: 11 February 1929 (from Italy)
National holiday: Installation Day of the Pope, 22 October (1978)
(John Paul II)
note: Pope John Paul II was elected on 16 October 1978
Constitution: Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968)
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: limited to cardinals less than 80 years old
Executive branch:
chief of state: Pope JOHN PAUL II (Karol WOJTYLA; since 16 October
1978); election last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the
death of the current pope); results - Karol WOJTYLA was elected for
life by the College of Cardinals
head of government: Secretary of State Archbishop Angelo Cardinal
SODANO (since NA 1991)
cabinet: Pontifical Commission; appointed by Pope
Legislative branch: unicameral Pontifical Commission
Judicial branch: none; normally handled by Italy
Political parties and leaders: none