Yes, Italian police can enter the Vatican, but their presence is limited to specific areas and governed by international agreements. While Vatican City is an independent sovereign state with its own police force, known as the Vatican Gendarmerie, there are established protocols for Italian law enforcement within certain parts of its territory.
Jurisdiction in St. Peter's Square
The most prominent example of Italian police operating within Vatican territory is St. Peter's Square. This arrangement is formalized by a crucial historical agreement:
- Lateran Treaty Provision: In accordance with Article 3 of the 1929 Lateran Treaty between the Holy See and Italy, St. Peter's Square, despite being an integral part of the Vatican City State, is normally patrolled by the Italian police.
- Boundary of Authority: The Italian police's operational jurisdiction in the square extends up to, but specifically excludes, the steps leading to St. Peter's Basilica.
- Purpose: This shared responsibility helps manage the vast crowds and ensure public order and security in one of the world's most frequently visited religious sites.
Beyond St. Peter's Square
Outside of St. Peter's Square, the internal security and law enforcement within the Vatican City State are solely managed by the Vatican's own forces. This includes the highly secure areas such as:
- The Apostolic Palace
- The Vatican Museums
- The Vatican Gardens
- Other administrative and residential buildings within the Vatican walls
For Italian police to enter these more internal and restricted areas, specific requests, formal agreements, or invitations from Vatican authorities would generally be required, respecting the Vatican's status as a fully sovereign nation.
