Vatican City

Government or Economics-

The first city I visited was the Vatican City because I wanted tu know about how its economy and goverments works. The form of government of the Vatican State is the absolute monarchy. Interestingly, its 'king', the Pope, is elected by suffrage, but limited. Only cardinals under the age of 80 can vote.

The Head of State is the Supreme Pontiff, the Pope, who has full legislative, executive and judicial powers. During the period of vacant see (papal death or resignation), said powers are exercised by the college of cardinals. The Pope relies on his number two or secretary of state (a kind of prime minister or chancellor), currently the Italian Pietro Parolin. With the Vatican reform, he is expected to become a kind of super foreign minister.

As for the 'ministries' – the Curia – it is the sum of Congregations and Pontifical Councils, whose composition is in full renewal by the Council of Cardinals, better known as G9, and to which Francis has entrusted the renewal of the government of the Church .

Vatican City's economy is financed by contributions (known as St. Peter's Pence) from Catholics around the world, as well as through the sale of postage stamps and souvenirs to tourists, entrance fees to museums, and the sale of publications. In the Vatican there

are pharmacies, a postal service, a supermarket and even a small and almost unknown railway line, but the inhabitants of the Vatican State do not pay direct taxes.