Lateran Treaty Day commemorates the signing of the Lateran Treaty in 1929, an agreement between the Kingdom of Italy and the Holy See (Vatican City). This treaty established Vatican City as an independent sovereign state and resolved the "Roman Question" that had strained relations between the Papacy and Italy since the 19th century.

When is Lateran Treaty Day?

Lateran Treaty Day in Vatican City is observed on February 11 each year.

The following is the list of Lateran Treaty Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Lateran Treaty Day?

From 1870, when the Kingdom of Italy annexed Rome, the Pope lost control of the Papal States and became effectively a "prisoner in the Vatican". This unresolved conflict over sovereignty and authority between the Italian state and the Catholic Church became known as the "Roman Question". Popes refused to recognize the legitimacy of the Italian government, and the Church existed in a state of political and legal limbo for nearly 60 years.

On February 11, 1929, an agreement was reached at the Lateran Palace in Rome to resolve the conflict, Signed by Cardinal Pietro Gasparri for Pope Pius XI and Benito Mussolini for King Victor Emmanuel III.

The treaty had three main parts:

1. Treaty: Recognized Vatican City as an independent sovereign state
2. Concordat: Defined the Church's relationship with Italy, including Catholicism as the state religion
3. Financial Convention: Compensated the Holy See for the loss of the Papal States

The treaty ended the Roman Question and normalized relations between the Holy See and Italy. Vatican City was officially recognized as the world's smallest independent nation.

The Pope regained a defined legal status and freedom of movement, while the Church was guaranteed religious and administrative independence.