Vatican City

Vatican City, the world's smallest sovereign state, wields significant global influence despite its minuscule size of 0.44 square kilometers and a population of 618 citizens (as of 2019). A key finding is the distinct separation between Vatican City and the Holy See under international law, where the latter governs the Catholic Church worldwide rather than the state itself. The study highlights recent reforms implemented by Pope Francis in 2022, which restructured the Roman Curia, dicasteries, and financial institutions, offering a detailed description of these changes to provide insight into their implications for global Catholicism.

Marotta, S. (2025). Vatican City. Christianity in Eastern and Southern Europe, 72–80. https://doi.org/10.3366/edinburgh/9781399547734.003.0006