The Lateran Agreement

Vatican City is visited by many pilgrims and tourists each year.

The Lateran Agreement, or Lateran Treaty, is a treaty between Italy and the Holy See, entered into in February 1929. The Agreement recognizes the status of Vatican City as an independent state within Italy. Vatican City covers approximately 100 acres within the city of Rome. The Lateran Treaty comprises three separate documents: a Treaty of Conciliation acknowledging the Vatican as an independent state; a concordat governing church-state relations and a financial convention.

History

Italy as we know it today came into being in 1871, following unification of a number of separate states. These included the Papal States, ruled at the time by Pope Pius IX. The Pope and his entourage retreated to Vatican City, refusing to accept the authority of the new King of Italy. In 1929, after years of negotiations, and assisted by Benito Mussolini, the Pope and the Italian King eventually agreed on terms upon which they could co-exist. Accordingly, King Victor Emanuel III of Italy and Pope Pius XI entered into a series of agreements, known as the Lateran Pacts, in terms of which the Vatican was acknowledged as an independent state.

Status of the Vatican City

In Article 3 of the Lateran Agreement, Italy recognizes the power and jurisdiction of the Holy See over Vatican City. A map depicting the boundaries of the Vatican is annexed to the Agreement. St. Peter's Square, although physically part of the Vatican, is subject to the police power of the Italian authorities.

Essential Services

The Lateran Agreement makes provision for the use of essential services by Vatican City. In particular, Article 6 requires Italy to ensure that the Vatican receives an adequate supply of water. The Treaty also guarantees that Italy will maintain railway links to Vatican City. The Vatican City Railway station functions today as a goods transportation system, linked to St. Peter's station in Rome.

Offenses Against the Pope

Article 8 of the Lateran Agreement provides that insulting the Pope is to be punished in the same way as insulting the King of Italy. In 2008, an Italian comedienne made insulting comments about Pope Benedict XVI and was charged with offenses under the Lateran Agreement.

1984 Concordat

Article I of the Lateran Agreement states that the Catholic religion is to be the only religion of Italy. In 1984 the Lateran Agreement was amended by the signing of a concordat between the Holy See and the Italian Republic. This concordat came into force in 1985 and acknowledged the independence of Italy from the Catholic church.

References

• Vatican City State: The Lateran Treaty
• Globalex: Researching the Law of the Vatican City State: Stephen Young and Alison Shea: March/April 2009
• Concordat Watch: How the Lateran Treaty Made the Catholic Church into a State
• The Times: Comedian Sabina Guzzanti "insulted Pope" in "poofter devils" gag: September 2008

Resources

• Vatican City State