They have their own soldiers
2007-11-14 07:21:38 · 20 answers · asked by ? 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
smallest sovereign state
pope has absolute power over legislative,executive judicial branches.
2007-11-14 07:26:51 · answer #1 · answered by anni 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Pastor Billy says: it is not Vatican its Vatican City or the Holy See, and the entire territory is a state. Within the state you have a spiritual Church, the Catholic Church, and there are also physical buildings such as St Peters which are churches also.
The Swiss Guard are a holdover from the Medieval times when Italy was a very violent region, wars occurred between the city states and invasion by France, Austria and Spain. The Swiss were known for their well trained mercenary troops and as most of southern Germany and Switzerland remained loyal to Catholicism even after the spread of Protestantism the Catholic cantons of Switzerland promised to protect the pope from outside military forces.
2007-11-14 07:48:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Both. Vatican City is considered a City-State, and has the same rights as any soverign nation. Remember that Italy has only fairly recently become an homogenous country. For a long time, it was just a collection of city-states ruled by dukes and barons that were constantly at war with each other - pretty typical of the feudal system. When it finally came together, the Vatican was left with its own autonomy as a sign of respect. It may not have much of a military, but I imagine that the rest of Italy Iand a bunce of other countries around the world) would jump to it's defence if it was attacked.
2007-11-14 07:29:48 · answer #3 · answered by Me 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
State.
2007-11-14 07:24:51 · answer #4 · answered by unknownpheonix360 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Vatican is a sovereign nation and the Catholic Church manages the country.
2007-11-14 07:25:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Vatican is a country surrounded by Italy. They do NOT have soldiers, but are protected by the Swiss guard (Switzerland is historically neutral).
2007-11-14 07:25:37 · answer #6 · answered by tracymoo 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The vatican is considered a country.
2007-11-14 07:25:31 · answer #7 · answered by meltzie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
state
2007-11-14 07:24:57 · answer #8 · answered by john 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's the smallest country in the World, totally independent of Rome and Italy.
2007-11-14 07:28:32 · answer #9 · answered by Bob N 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe it's considered a nation, with all the sovereignty nations have. One of the smallest in the world, but one of the most powerful, of course.
2007-11-14 07:25:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is a sovereign country- the world's smallest nation at 1 square mile. There is a church there, also. Read on...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vatican_city
2007-11-14 07:25:33 · answer #11 · answered by wadeword 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋