Its up there with the toughest.

Vatican City’s immigration law is one of the strictest in Europe.

Vatican citizenship is a rare status, tightly controlled and highly coveted. According to official records, only 618 individuals hold Vatican citizenship, making it the most exclusive in the world.

Regulations a-plenty.

(ZENIT News / Rome, 08.30.2024).- The Vatican City, though best known as the spiritual and administrative heart of the Roman Catholic Church, is also a unique sovereign state governed by its own civil laws.

Despite its small size and population, this city-state is rigorously safeguarded, both physically and legally, under a set of stringent regulations that define its borders, citizenship, and residency.

It’s been cracking down this year.

The Vatican City State has toughened sanctions for those who try to illegally enter its territory in areas where free access is not allowed.

In a decree issued last month by the Holy See, the monetary sanctions and prison sentences for those who violate the strict security regulations of Vatican City have been considerably increased.

Much?

The document, signed by Cardinal Fernando Vérguez Alzaga, president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, provides for monetary fines ranging from 10,000 to 25,000 euros (about $10,200 to $25,700) and prison sentences ranging from one to four years.

These fines will apply especially to those who enter by means of violence, threats, or deception, bypassing border controls or security systems. In addition, those who enter with expired permits or do not meet the established requirements will receive administrative sanctions ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 euros (about $2,060 to $5,145).

Did Pope Francis know about this?

The Pope’s unconditional welcome for migrants does not apply to his own state. Hélène de Lauzun

• — January 16, 2025

While Pope Francis in his media appearances is constantly urging Catholics to open their arms ever wider to migrants, the Vatican papal state has just issued a decree to drastically protect its borders.

He saw it as their duty.

As is the case every twenty-five years, 2025 will be a jubilee year for the Catholic Church, which means that huge numbers of pilgrims will flock to Rome for the occasion.

A few days before Christmas, the Vatican issued designed to impose severe penalties on anyone attempting to enter the world’s smallest state illegally. The existence of this decree was only revealed on January 12th.

Didn’t anyone tell him?

Will his successor, Leo 14, maybe slow down a bit in his criticism of the U.S.?  Or at least explain  his (holier-than-thou?) stance? Ya gotta wonder.