September 28, 2010
An interesting interview with "Foreign Policy" editor Josh Keating on the issue of Vatican sovereignty, in light of the new Vatican bank scandal and lawsuits surrounding the sex abuse cover-up.
Keating points out that the Vatican is not really a state in that it has no fixed population and controls virtually no territory. Yet the Holy See's sovereignty and observer status at the UN give it a voice in international debates over issues like birth control, abortion and homosexuality--not to mention diplomatic immunity from prosecution.
He makes a compelling argument that it may be time to rethink the Vatican's status, while admitting that it's nearly impossible to have it removed.
Listen to the interview on NPR's "Worldview" here.
