In fact there is a direct lineal descent from the old Papal States to the current Vatican, which is indeed a state, the world's smallest. That is why it has embassies, etc. Part of the Italian risorgimento was motivated by reducing the secular power of the Vatican in Italy, and today it is reduced to just the area of the Vatican itself. So, no it does not pass laws and all that. But, it is more than just a corporate entity, much more. Barkley Rosser ----- Original Message ----- From: <Archer.Todd at ic.gc.ca> To: <lbo-talk at lists.panix.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2001 2:29 PM Subject: Re: Vatican
> Leo said:
>
> >Once? Is that why I drive by a Vatican Embassy to the US when I visit
> >Washington, and why the Vatican has representation on all sort of UN
> bodies?
>
> It's news to me, Leo. But does the Pope (and the Vatican) have actual
power
> to go along with the prestige of his office (i.e. could he pass secular
laws
> or preside over their being passed in the papal camera?), or does the
> Vatican/Catholic Church, like any other rich corporate body, just possess
> lots of influence (the Pope, being the titular leader, would have all that
> influence of the Catholic Church at his beck and call, more or less)?
>
> Todd
>
> P.S. Welcome back!
>