The Political Significance of the Vatican (By Jack McGuane)

The smallest country in the world, Vatican City, ruled by Pope Francis, is considered the Roman Catholic spiritual center. It is one of the holiest places in the world for Roman Catholics and a constant destination for devoted followers all year long. Unlike other religions' holy places, such as Mecca for Muslims and Jerusalem for Christians, Jews, and Muslims, Vatican City is a sovereign nation. Although it is estimated that one can cross Vatican City on foot in twenty minutes, and only about one thousand people live there, the Vatican actively participates in global diplomatic relations. For instance, NATO, one of the most prominent international organizations, maintains diplomatic relations with Vatican City. This engagement in global affairs supports the political relevance of Roman Catholics worldwide.

It is crucial that all religions receive appropriate representation, which partly necessitates the existence of a nation centered around each religion to advocate for their followers in political arenas. Vatican City fulfills this role for Roman Catholics and also serves as the seat of the Holy See, the administrative body of the Catholic Church. A religion devoid of governmental and political representation risks being marginalized. Take Zoroastrianism as an example. Although more than one hundred thousand people practice Zoroastrianism, and it is considered a major religion of the world, I can’t say that I have ever talked about it before. Unless one is a Parsi (a practitioner of Zoroastrianism), it is unlikely that Zoroastrianism is a common topic of conversation. This underrepresentation can be attributed to the absence of a political homeland to serve as a voice for Parsis in global affairs. This is why Vatican City is so important in the Catholic faith. It is the voice of all Catholics, preventing them from being forgotten and neglected in society. Many Middle Eastern countries and neighboring countries in Africa and Asia play this role primarily for Muslims. Although the Islamic holy place of Mecca is not a country, the countries with enormous populations of Muslims (i.e., Indonesia, India, Pakistan) are influenced by the wants and needs of their Muslim population in their political decision-making and approach. This is one of the reasons why the Israel-Palestine conflict is so serious. Both Israel and Palestine want greater religious representation in global politics and immense power, which both lie in a sliver of land bordering the Jordan River.

It is an undeniable reality that all groups seek adequate representation and influence. How countries operate is similar to how a stereotypical high school operates: people try to get to the top of the popularity ladder to have influence and forge friendships. Similarly, nations endeavor to climb the global political ladder to achieve widespread representation and power. Roman Catholics benefit from their established position in global politics, ensuring that their interests are respected and considered in international decision-making processes. I take pride in knowing that my religion’s spiritual center, Vatican City, is a sanctuary where I can find solace in my faith, assured that the Holy See and the Pope will provide care.