Pope Francis told Congress that the U.S. must open its doors to immigrants and “not be taken aback by their numbers.” But as head of state of the Vatican, he presides over a very different policy. As The Washington Times reports, “[The Vatican] government has possibly the most restrictive immigration and citizenship policies of any nation in the world.”
The report goes on to note that “The Vatican . . . welcomes millions of visitors a year–but allows only a very select few, who meet strict criteria, to be admitted as residents or citizens. Only about 450 of its 800 or so residents actually hold citizenship, according to a 2012 study by the Library of Congress. That study said citizens are either church cardinals who reside in the Vatican, the Holy See’s diplomats around the world, and those who have to reside in the city because of their jobs, such as the Swiss Guard.”
Read more at washingtontimes.com.