What Language Do They Speak in Vatican City?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
Vatican City has 2 official languages: Italian, Latin. Italian is also an official language in 3 other countries worldwide.
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Languages of Vatican City at a glance
| Official languages | Italian, Latin |
|---|---|
| Number of official languages | 2 |
| Countries on this site where Italian is official | 4 |
| People (demonym) | Vatican |
| Capital | Vatican City |
| Internet domain | .va |
Other countries where Italian is official
Italian is also an official language in 3 other countries covered here:
Languages of neighbouring countries
| Italy | Italian |
|---|
Vatican City in context
- Vatican City covers 0.49 km², making it the smallest of the 196 countries on this site.
- Its population density of about 1,800 people per km² ranks 5th of 196 (1st = most crowded).
- It shares a land border with 1 country: Italy.
- Vatican City is landlocked, with no direct coastline.
- With 882 people, Vatican City holds less than 0.1% of the population of Southern Europe.
- With 2 official languages, Vatican City has more than most countries on this site.
- Traffic drives on the right, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- Vatican City is not a United Nations member state.
Useful phrases for visitors to Vatican City
Everyday Italian phrases you will hear and use in Vatican City:
| English | Italian |
|---|---|
| Hello | Ciao |
| Thank you | Grazie |
| Please | Per favore |
| Goodbye | Arrivederci |
| Yes | Sì |
| No | No |
Spellings can vary by region, and some languages use different forms for formal or informal speech. Even a simple greeting in the local language is usually appreciated.
Languages in Vatican City — FAQ
What language do they speak in Vatican City?
The official languages of Vatican City are Italian and Latin.
How many official languages does Vatican City have?
Vatican City has 2 official languages: Italian, Latin.
Is Italian spoken anywhere else?
Italian is also an official language in 3 other countries.
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