No more automatic Vatican citizenship for every Vatican resident

(March 01, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI signed a new law last week by which one can no longer acquire Vatican citizenship automatically by virtue of residence in Vatican City. Fr. Ciro Benedettini, the vice director of the Holy See’s Press Office explained that the Pope signed a new law on Feb. 22, by which Vatican citizenship is granted only to cardinals residing outside the Vatican walls or in Rome, to Holy See diplomats and to those who reside in Vatican City holding some post or are in service. A person holding an office or who is in service and has the permission to reside in Vatican City, now needs to apply for Vatican citizenship, without acquiring it automatically. Such a resident’s spouse and children authorized to live with him/her inside the Vatican are also eligible. With an area of 0.44 sqkm, Vatican City is the world’s smallest sovereign state inside Rome city, where there are only 444 residents, including Vatican citizens. Some of Rome’s sprawling public parks such as Villa Doria Pamphilj and Villa Ada are far larger than Vatican City.