2006-07-06 11:53:25 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Government
Head of state
The Head of State is the Pope, who as the supreme executive, legislative, and judicial authority is also the Head of Government. This is a non-hereditary elective monarchy with a sovereign who exercises absolute authority, that is to say supreme legislative, executive and judicial power not only over Vatican City State but also constituting the Holy See. The sovereign is elected for a life term in conclave by cardinals under the age of 80. His principal subordinate government officials are the Secretary of State, the President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, and the Governor of Vatican City.
The current Pope is Benedict XVI, born Joseph Ratzinger in Germany. Angelo Cardinal Sodano of Italy is the Secretary of State. Sodano will be succeded in this position by Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone effective September 15, 2006. Edmund Cardinal Szoka serves as both the President of the Pontifical Commission and Governor, born an American of Polish descent. Szoka will be succeded in this position by Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo effective September 15, 2006
2006-07-06 12:00:30 · answer #1 · answered by jonsey182 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Technically, Vatican City is an absolute monarchy, but I believe it functions more like a theocracy.
2006-07-06 11:57:10 · answer #2 · answered by nardhelain 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋