Head of state

John Paul II
POPE

• ex officio head of state and head of government

• Functions dependent on his primordial function as the bishop of the Archdiocese of Rome.

• “Holy See” - Pope's spiritual and pastoral governance, largely exercised through the His Roman Curia.

• Official title with regard to Vatican City is Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City.

• Technically, an absolute monarch, meaning he has total legislative, executive and judicial power over Vatican City. He is the only absolute monarch in Europe.

• Elected for a life term in conclave by cardinals under the age of 80.

• His principal subordinate government official for Vatican City is the President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, who since 1952 exercises the functions previously belonging to the Governor of Vatican City. Since 2001, the President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State also has the title of President of the Governorate of the State of Vatican City.

• Resides in the Papal Apartments of the Papal Palace just off St. Peter's Square. It is here he carries out his business and meets foreign representatives.

• The current Pope is Benedict XVI, born Joseph Alois Ratzinger in Bavaria, Germany.

• Italian Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo serves as President of the Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City. He was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI on 11 September 2006.