Questo impero e mia

The Vatican has decided to renege from Roman rule(s)!! Blasphemy - I be damned.

Well, this ain't that seriouos though. Pardon my attempt at misrepresentation. The matter is much simpler, at heart.

For over the last 80 years, all Italian Law is deemed automatically applicable to Vatican, primarily owing to its geographic situation. Vatican city is nested within the city of Rome
Here you must appeciate the unique nature of governance applicable to this small city state. Ever since the tolerant (anti roman?) rule of Constatntine, the Church had pretty much been on its own. The Popes have been known to enjoy significant clout over the political apparatus of Europe (and subsequently Americas). The theocracy of England is an excellent example of the extent to which religion can influence politics and economics even in developed societies.

The Papacy, however, is different. It is the dominion of the Papal authority and typical to Vatican only. Here, you witness the true unification of the Spiritual (pastoral) and Temporal authority in one individual. Handed down through centuries of varying involvement and stages of maturity, the Papal authority is one much beyond the magnificient midnight masses in the basilica.

This Papal authority has been, in modern days, in conflict with civilian laws framed by various governments of state. The most significant being the Papacy's views on sexuality. And now, the Legal machinery in the Papacy has decided that Italian laws are often complex and leaves a lot to be deserved. So, beginning 2009, the clause of automatic applicability of Italian laws will be scrapped and the Papacy would evaluate all Italian laws and administer only those that suit to the Vatican eco-political climate.

So, in effect, you might have a pocket within the city of Rome that does not abide by a certain ruling of the Italian legal machinery!

The Romans know their shortcomings. After all they have been the butt (of you-know-what) for quite long now - especially if you have been given to the Asterix series by Rene Goscinny & Albert Uderzo. So the Italian authorities have humbly agreed to this unilateral snub from Vatican and admitted they need to revamp their laws themselves.

The little I know of history (the highest I ever managed in this discipline was 47 in High school), Romans are not very fond of Laws & Rules. They have historically not been inclined to be civil enough to frame Laws. So this wasn't a shock either ways..

And by the way, here's wishing you all the very best in 09!!
Cheers