Flag of Vatican City

Last updated

Vatican City State
Flag of Vatican City State - 2023 version.svg
Flag of Vatican City, version since 2023
Use National flag FIAV 111000.svg FIAV normal.svg IFIS Mirror.svg
Adopted7 June 1929;95 years ago (1929-06-07)
DesignA vertical bicolour of yellow and white, charged with the coat of arms centred on the white portion

The national flag of Vatican City was adopted in 1929, the year Pope Pius XI signed the Lateran Treaty with Italy, creating the new independent state of Vatican City.

Contents

The flag is a vertical bicolour of yellow and white, with the white half charged with the coat of arms of Vatican City (a papal tiara and the crossed keys of Saint Peter). It was modeled after the 1808 flag of the Papal States, a yellow-and-white bicolour defaced with the tiara and keys in the centre. It is one of only two national flags that use a 1:1 aspect ratio, along with the flag of Switzerland. [1]

The flag of Vatican City is also referred as the flag of the Holy See . [2] The Holy See, which governs Vatican City, has ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the worldwide Catholic Church. As a result, the flag is also a symbol of Catholic faith or identity, and is sometimes displayed at Catholic churches. [3] [4] [5] [6]

Description

The 2023 Fundamental Law of Vatican City State states: "The flag of the Vatican City State is made up of two vertically divided sides, one yellow adhering to the hoist and the other white, and in the latter carries the tiara with the keys, all according to the model on Annex A of this Law". [7]

Regulations

Current regulations

The flag is described in Article 23 of the 2023 Fundamental Law of Vatican City State, with a visual model appended as Attachment A. [7]

Previous regulations

The flag is described in Article 19 of the 1929 Fundamental Law of Vatican City State, with a visual model appended as Attachment A. [8]

The flag is also described in Article 20 of the 2000 Fundamental Law of Vatican City State, with a visual model appended as Attachment A. [9] [10] The 2000 Fundamental Law of Vatican City State's Attachment A, shows a square flag. [10]

In 2010, the Apostolic Nunciature to Germany stated that the flag does not have to be square. [11]

History

Flag of Vatican City flying at half-staff outside the Oxford Oratory on the day after the death of Pope John Paul II Vatican flag half-mast Oxford 20050403.jpg
Flag of Vatican City flying at half-staff outside the Oxford Oratory on the day after the death of Pope John Paul II

Before 1808, the Papal States commonly used a bicolor, yellow-red flag, which was derived from the colours of the Holy See's coat of arms, as well as being the two traditional colours of the Senate and the Roman people. [12] [13] In 1798, Napoleon established the Roman Republic, which introduced a black, white, and red flag; after the Papal rule was restored, Pope Pius VII restored the Papal cockade, which was described as red and yellow. [14]

In 1808, Pope Pius VII ordered the Vatican's Noble Guard and other troops to replace red color with white, in order to distinguish them from the troops that had been incorporated into Napoleon's army. [15]

In 1803, the Papal States started using a white merchant flag with the Papal coat of arms in the centre. This flag was made official on 7 June 1815. On 17 September 1825, it was replaced with a yellow and white flag which took its colours from the materials of the two keys (yellow for gold, white for silver). These colors were probably taken from the 1808 flag of the Palatine guard. [16] This was the first bicolour used by the Papal States and the ancestor of the modern flag of Vatican City. [17] The merchant flag also served as a state flag on land. [16]

Starting in 1831, the papal infantry flew square yellow and white flags. At first, they were diagonally divided, but after 1849 they were vertically divided like the merchant flag. The last infantry colour, adopted in 1862, was a plain square white and yellow flag. [17]

On 8 February 1849, while Pope Pius IX was in exile in Gaeta, a Roman Republic was declared. The new government's flag was the Italian tricolor with the motto "Dio e Popolo" on the central stripe. The papal government and its flags were restored on 2 July 1849. On 20 September 1870, the Papal States were conquered by Italy.

After the Lateran Treaty was signed in 1929, papal authorities decided to use the 1825–1870 merchant flag as the state flag of the soon to be independent Vatican City state. [18] The treaty came into effect on 7 June 1929.

Previous versions

Raising of the flag at the United Nations

Since September 2015, the United Nations headquarters has begun displaying the flags of UN observer states alongside the 193 member state flags. On September 25, 2015, the flag of the Holy See was raised for the first time at the UN headquarters. [19] [20]

Incorrect version

Flag of Vatican City (red tiara).svg
Image of the incorrect version from 2017 to 2022.
Be Apostolic nunciature 01 (cropped).jpg
Incorrect flag with the lining of the tiara colored red, in use at the Apostolic Nunciature to Germany in Berlin

An incorrect version of the flag has been commonly used. In this version, the visible inner lining of the papal tiara is colored red instead of white, and a different shade of yellow or gold is used in some portions of the coat of arms. This version is due to a depiction of the Vatican flag used on Wikimedia Commons between 2006 and 2007 and between 2017 and 2022, and has since become widespread on the Internet. [21]

Controversies

During Pope Francis's 2018 visit to Ireland, the South Dublin County Council refused to fly the Vatican flag; a local petrol station began to fly the flag in response. [22] [23]

A Police Scotland list of flags which could be a criminal offence to display "in a threatening manner" included the Vatican flag; sectarianism is common in Scotland, especially in Glasgow, and the Vatican flag could supposedly be flown as a sign of Catholic identity to intimidate Protestant neighbours. [24] [25] [26]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vatican City</span> Enclaved Holy Sees independent city-state

Vatican City, officially the Vatican City State, is a landlocked sovereign country, city-state, microstate, and enclave surrounded by, and historically a part of, Rome, Italy. It became independent from Italy in 1929 with the Lateran Treaty, and is a distinct territory under "full ownership, exclusive dominion, and sovereign authority and jurisdiction" of the Holy See, which is itself a sovereign entity under international law, maintaining the city-state's temporal power, governance, diplomatic, and spiritual independence. The Vatican is also a metonym for the pope, the Holy See, and the Roman Curia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Papal States</span> Catholic state in Italy (756–1870)

The Papal States, officially the State of the Church, were a conglomeration of territories on the Italian peninsula under the direct sovereign rule of the Pope from 756 to 1870. They were among the major states of Italy from the 8th century until the unification of Italy, which took place between 1859 and 1870, and culminated in their demise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Senyera</span> Vexillogical symbol

The Senyera is a vexillological symbol based on the coat of arms of the Crown of Aragon, which consists of four red stripes on a yellow field. This coat of arms, often called bars of Aragon, or simply "the four bars", historically represented the King of the Crown of Aragon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Papal regalia and insignia</span> Official items of attire and decoration proper to the Pope

Papal regalia and insignia are the official items of attire and decoration proper to the Pope in his capacity as the visible head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Governor of Vatican City</span>

The post of Governor of the Vatican City State was held by Marchese Camillo Serafini from the foundation of the state in 1929 until his death in 1952. No successor was appointed, and the post itself was not mentioned in the Fundamental Law of Vatican City State issued by Pope John Paul II on 26 November 2000, which entered into force on 22 February 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Postage stamps and postal history of Vatican City</span>

The Vatican post office has operated its own postal service and issued its own postage stamps since 1929.

Acta Apostolicae Sedis, often cited as AAS, is the official gazette of the Holy See, appearing about twelve times a year. It was established by Pope Pius X on 29 September 1908 with the decree Promulgandi Pontificias Constitutiones, and publication began in January 1909. It contains all the principal decrees, encyclical letters, decisions of Roman congregations, and notices of ecclesiastical appointments. The laws contained in it are to be considered promulgated when published, and effective three months from date of issue, unless a shorter or longer time is specified in the law.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State</span> Vatican City legislative body

The Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State is the legislative body of Vatican City. It consists of a president, who also holds the title of President of the Governorate of Vatican City State and serves as the head of government of Vatican City, as well as seven other cardinals appointed by the pope for five-year terms.

The Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura is the highest judicial authority in the Catholic Church. In addition, it oversees the administration of justice in the church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coat of arms of Vatican City</span>

The coat of arms of Vatican City is the coat of arms used by Vatican City, which was originally adopted by the Fundamental Law of Vatican City State on 7 June 1929. This coat of arms is defined by law as having the silver key in bend and the gold key in bend sinister.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City</span> Police and security force of Vatican City

The Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City State is the gendarmerie, or military police and security force, of Vatican City, Holy See and its extraterritorial properties. It was founded in 1816 as Corps of Gendarmes by Pope Pius VII, renamed the Central Security Office in 1970, the Security Corps in 1991, and was restored to its original name in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vatican Railway</span> Railway company

The Vatican Railway was opened in 1934 to serve Vatican City and its only station, Vatican City. The main rail tracks are standard gauge and 300 metres (980 ft) long, with two freight sidings, making it the shortest national railway system in the world. Access to the Italian rail network is over a viaduct to Roma San Pietro railway station, and is guaranteed by the Lateran Treaty dating from 1929. The tracks and station were constructed during the reign of Pope Pius XI, shortly after the treaty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of Vatican City</span> Overview of and topical guide to Vatican City

The following outline is provided as an overview of and introduction to Vatican City:

This is an index of Vatican City–related topics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crime in Vatican City</span>

Crime in the Vatican City consists largely of purse snatching, pick-pocketing and shoplifting perpetrated by tourists upon other tourists. The tourist foot-traffic in St. Peter's Square is one of the main locations for pickpockets in Vatican City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gonfalone of the Church</span>

The Banner of the Holy Roman Church was the battle standard of the Papal States during the Renaissance and a symbol of the Catholic Church. The office of the Gonfalonier of the Church was originally intended to function as its bearer of the Holy See.

The Fundamental Law of Vatican City State is the main governing legal document of the Vatican's civil entities. The Fundamental Law has existed since 1929.

The law of Vatican City State consists of many forms, the most important of which is the canon law of the Catholic Church. The organs of state are governed by the Fundamental Law of Vatican City State. The Code of Penal Procedure governs tribunals and the Lateran Treaty governs relations with the Italian Republic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fernando Vérgez Alzaga</span> Spanish Catholic prelate

Fernando Vérgez AlzagaL.C. is a Spanish and Vatican prelate of the Catholic Church who has been President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and President of the Governorate of Vatican City State since 1 October 2021. He was Secretary General of the Governorate of Vatican City State from 2013 to 2021 and before that director of the Vatican City State Telecommunications Directorate.

References

  1. ↑ "Flag of the Vatican City". flaginstitute.org. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  2. ↑ "United Nations to Raise Holy See Flag on September 25". En.radiovaticana.va. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2015-10-20.
  3. ↑ CNA. "Wikipedia had the wrong Vatican City flag for years. Now incorrect flags are everywhere". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  4. ↑ CNA. "American flag in the sanctuary". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  5. ↑ "The Vatican Flag". St. Cletus Catholic Church. 13 January 2023.
  6. ↑ "The Flag of Vatican City". mnflag.tripod.com. Retrieved 2024-05-22. Roman Catholics throughout the world often use the Vatican flag to express Catholic identity at churches, educational institutions, and other establishments.
  7. 1 2 "Legge Fondamentale dello Stato della Città del Vaticano (13 maggio 2023) | Francesco". www.vatican.va. Archived from the original on 2023-05-27. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  8. ↑ "[two sections]" (PDF). Acta Apostolicae Sedis. Supplemento per le leggi e disposizioni dello stato della città del Vaticano: 5, 35. 1929 – via Vaticanstate.va.
  9. ↑ "Legge fondamentale dello Stato della Città del Vaticano – 26 novembre 2000". www.vatican.va. Archived from the original on 2023-05-15. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  10. 1 2 "STATE OF VATICAN CITY, Flag, Coat of Arms and Seal". Holy See Press Office. 2013-09-06. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
  11. ↑ "letter from the German nunciature (2010-05-27)" (PDF) (in German). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-12-05. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  12. ↑ "Storia della Bandiera dello Stato della Città del Vaticano". vatican.va (in Italian). 31 December 2000. Anticamente la bandiera dello Stato pontificio era giallorossa (o per meglio dire amaranto e rossa, colori derivati dai colori dello stemma della Santa Sede), i due colori tradizionali del Senato e del Popolo romano, che vennero tuttavia sostituiti con il bianco e il giallo nel 1808.
  13. ↑ Helssen, Tim (15 October 2023). "Vatikanexperte erläutert die Papstfarben Gelb und Weiß: Der Schlüssel zur Farbgebung". Domradio (in German). Rom, aber auch die Päpste hatten oft goldene Darstellungen auf rotem Grund in ihren Wappenfahnen. Daher entstand im Herrschaftsgebiet des Papstes so eine Kokarde in den Farben Gelb und Rot.
  14. ↑ Becker, William M. (2018). "1: Toward the Modern Papal Colors (1800–1825)". Vatican Flags: Keys and Crowns Since 1800. North American Vexillological Association. p. 22. ISBN   978-0974772875.
  15. ↑ "Bandiera pontificia" (in Italian). Stato della cità del Vaticano. Archived from the original on 2008-10-15. Retrieved 2008-07-09. Anticamente la bandiera dello Stato pontificio era giallorossa (o per meglio dire amaranto e rossa, colori derivati dai colori dello stemma della Santa Sede), i due colori tradizionali del Senato e del Popolo romano, che vennero tuttavia sostituiti con il bianco e il giallo nel 1808, allorché Pio VII
  16. 1 2 Breschi, Roberto. "Stato Pontifico" (in Italian). Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  17. 1 2 Becker, Rev. William M. "Flag of Vatican City". Archived from the original on 6 January 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  18. ↑ Becker, Rev. William M. (Jan–Mar 2012). "The Vatican Flag: Proportions & Alternatives" (PDF). NAVA News. Trenton, New Jersey: North American Vexillological Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  19. ↑ Nations, United. "UN at a glance". United Nations. Archived from the original on 2024-09-30. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  20. ↑ "Flags of Holy See, Palestine Fly at UN Headquarters". UN.org. 2015-10-01. Archived from the original on 2024-09-30.
  21. ↑ McKeown, Jonah (8 April 2023). "Wikipedia had the wrong Vatican City flag for years. Now incorrect flags are everywhere". Catholic News Agency. Archived from the original on 2023-04-11. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  22. ↑ Neylon, Laoise (21 July 2018). "Flagging support for Vatican". Archived from the original on 2021-12-23. Retrieved 2021-12-23– via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  23. ↑ Finn, Christina (28 July 2018). "South Dublin Council won't be flying the Vatican flag, but this Texaco is". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 2021-12-23. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  24. ↑ "Beware the pernicious Catholicism that is presently abroad in the land | Kevin McKenna". the Guardian. October 21, 2018. Archived from the original on December 23, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  25. ↑ "In Scotland, flying the Vatican flag 'provocatively' could be criminal". Catholic News Agency. Archived from the original on 2021-12-23. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  26. ↑ "Flying Vatican flag in a 'provocative manner' could be a criminal act, say Scottish police". October 3, 2018. Archived from the original on December 23, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2021.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.