VATICAN CITY CENSUS

Southland Times, Issue 21428, 24 June 1931, Page 10

VATICAN CITY CENSUS

WORK OF A FEW MINUTES. The Vatican City State is perhaps the one city in the world where the census can be taken in a few minutes. Undoubtedly, it is the most cosmopolitan as to the origin of its citizens. When the Lateran Pact created the State in February, 1929, its population was 532, but only 250 resided within the city’s boundaries. Non-resident citizens include all cardinals living in Rome, who automatically become citizens of the papal sovereign State. But since then, two children have been born within the city’s precints, and two citizens, both cardinals, have died. The population is now 639; but there are only 550 residents. They are classified as follow: Two are true-born citizens. There are 495 of Italian origin, including the Pope. Then comes 118 of Swiss origin, being the Swiss Guards and their officers. There are eight of French origin, eight of German, one Ethiopian, who is studying for the priesthood and has been allowed to live in the city by the Pope’s permission. There are also three of Spanish and one of Norwegian origin, two Dutchmen, and one Austrian. When they travel abroad they have Vatican City State passports, bearing the papal coat of arms, the triplecrown, and the keys of St. Peter. There are 1800 telephone lines, 220 numbers in working order, with a total capacity of 800. Most of them serve the pontifical palace and the various State departments.