Unique among world leaders, the pope serves simultaneously as the universal spiritual head of the Catholic Church and as the head of the Holy See, a distinct sovereign entity under international law that serves as the central government of the Catholic Church. “He’s the spiritual head of the Catholic Church, and he’s the head of state of Vatican City — the only absolute sovereign in Europe.” “The Church could give up the Vatican and still have the ambassadors, because it’s the Holy See,” Widmer noted. The pope may still retain citizenship of his home country, in addition to the Vatican citizenship he automatically acquires upon his election as pope. When he addresses questions of war, peace, or human dignity, he does so first and foremost as vicar of Christ.