government: ecclesiastical elective monarchy; self-described as an "absolute monarchy"

state of civil and political rights:

constitution: 22 February 2001 (Fundamental Law of Vatican City State, the main governing document of the Vatican's civil entities); in June 2018, Pope Francis approved the Council of Cardinals' first draft of the new apostolic constitution, Predicate Evangelium (Preach the Gospel); it became effective 5 June 2022, replacing Pastor Bonus, the previous governing document of the Roman Curia

legal system: religious legal system based on canon (religious) law; has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

legislative system: unicameral Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City (Pontificia Commissione per lo Stato della Citta del Vaticano)

judicial system: Supreme Court or Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura (consists of the cardinal prefect, who serves as ex-officio president of the court, and 2 other cardinals of the Prefect Signatura); Appellate Court of Vatican City; Tribunal of Vatican City

religion: Roman Catholic

death row:

year of last executions: 0-0-0

death sentences: 0

executions: 0