Holy See
The Holy See is a state party to the TPNW from 22 January 2021 and is in compliance with all of the prohibitions in Article 1 of the Treaty.
| TPNW status |
|---|
| Signed (20 Sept 2017) and ratified (20 Sept 2017) |
| Compliance with prohibitions in TPNW Article 1(1) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Art 1(1)(a) | Develop, produce, manufacture, acquire | Compliant |
| Test | Compliant | |
| Possess or stockpile | Compliant | |
| Art 1(1)(b) | Transfer | Compliant |
| Art 1(1)(c) | Receive transfer or control | Compliant |
| Art 1(1)(d) | Use | Compliant |
| Threaten to use | Compliant | |
| Art 1(1)(e) | Assist, encourage or induce | Compliant |
| Art 1(1)(f) | Seek or receive assistance | Compliant |
| Art 1(1)(g) | Allow stationing, installation, deployment | Compliant |
| TPNW voting and participation | |
|---|---|
| Vote on negotiation mandate (A/RES/71/258) | N/A |
| Participated in treaty negotiations (% women) | Yes (22%) |
| Vote on adoption of treaty text | Voted yes |
| Last vote on UNGA resolution | N/A |
| Fissile material | |
|---|---|
| Fissile material production facilities | No |
| Highly enriched uranium stocks | No |
| Plutonium stocks (military/civilian) | No/No |
| Related treaties and regimes | |
|---|---|
| Party to the NPT | Yes |
| Party to a NWFZ | No |
| Ratified the CTBT | Yes |
| Party to the PTBT | No |
| Member of the CD | No (Observer) |
| IAEA CSA in force | Yes |
| IAEA AP in force | Yes |
| Party to the CWC | Yes |
| Party to the BWC | Yes |
Latest developments
The Holy See has on multiple occasions expressed grave concern over the catastrophic humanitarian and environmental effects of the use of nuclear weapons. In November 2017, Pope Francis maintained that 'the possession of nuclear weapons should be firmly condemned.' He also said that the existence of nuclear weapons 'creates a false sense of security that holds international relations hostage and stifles peaceful coexistence'. On 26 September 2019, Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said in the UN that the Holy See 'acknowledges with satisfaction the increasing number of states who have ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and encourages those states who have already signed it to ratify it as soon as possible. We believe that the treaty is an important step towards a nuclear-weapons-free world and complements the NPT.' See: bit.ly/2kLlNA7, bit.ly/2obi545.
Recommendations
- The Holy See should continue to encourage other states to adhere to the TPNW.
- The Holy See should ensure that all the TPNW obligations are implemented domestically, through legal, administrative and other necessary measures.