The flag of Vatican City is one of the few square national flags in the world (together with Switzerland’s) and one of the oldest linked to a universal religious authority. Officially adopted on 7 June 1929 with the Lateran Pacts, it features two vertical bands —golden yellow and white— with the coat of arms of the Holy See on the white band: Saint Peter’s crossed keys topped by the papal tiara. This page explains its origin, meaning, technical specifications and where to see it during Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Journey to Spain (6-12 June 2026).
History and origin
The use of yellow and white to represent the Holy See dates back to 1808, when Pope Pius VII adopted them as the cockade of the papal army, replacing the old red and yellow. The aim was to distinguish papal troops from the Napoleonic forces occupying Rome.
During the 19th century, the yellow and white flag represented the Papal States until Italian unification in 1870, when Rome was taken by the Kingdom of Italy. The Holy See lost its territorial sovereignty but retained the colours as a symbol of the Pope’s spiritual authority.
The modern flag was formalised by the Lateran Pacts of 11 February 1929 between the Holy See and the Kingdom of Italy, creating Vatican City State. It came into force on 7 June 1929, the date considered the official anniversary of the flag.
Meaning of the colours
The two colours of the flag have a symbolic reading linked to Saint Peter’s keys in Matthew 16:19 and to the Pope’s spiritual and temporal authority.
Golden yellow
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Represents the gold key given by Christ to Saint Peter as a symbol of the spiritual power to bind and loose in heaven. It also evokes divine light and the dignity of the supreme pontificate.
White
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Represents the silver key, symbol of the Pope’s temporal power on earth. It also means purity, peace and the light of the Gospel that spreads universally.
The coat of arms: Saint Peter’s keys and the papal tiara
At the centre of the white band appears the coat of arms of the Holy See, formed by three heraldic elements full of meaning.
Gold key
Points upwards, towards heaven. Symbolises the Pope’s spiritual power: the power to bind and loose in heaven according to Christ’s words to Peter (Matthew 16:19).
Silver key
Points downwards, towards the earth. Symbolises the Pope’s jurisdiction over the universal Church on the earthly plane.
Red cord
Joins the two keys in a cross. Represents the unity between the spiritual and the temporal power in the person of Peter’s successor.
Papal tiara
Triple crown that historically represented the Pope as father of kings, ruler of the world and vicar of Christ. Although Paul VI ceased to use the tiara in 1963, it remains in the coat of arms as a symbol of papal authority.
Official technical specifications
The Vatican flag follows specific norms established by the Vatican City State for its manufacture and official use.
| Proportion | 1:1 (square) |
|---|---|
| Vertical division | Two equal bands: yellow on the left, white on the right |
| Coat of arms position | Centred on the white band |
| Yellow Pantone | Approximately Pantone 116 C |
| Alternative form | Rectangular version allowed for processions and internal use |
| Square flags | Only the Vatican and Switzerland have square national flags |
The Vatican flag during the Pope’s visit to Spain
During Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Journey to Spain (6-12 June 2026), the Vatican flag flies in all the Pontiff’s official venues alongside the Spanish flag: at the Royal Palace during the welcome ceremony on 6 June, in Plaza de Cibeles for the Corpus Christi Holy Mass on 7 June, in the Congress of Deputies during the 8 June address, in the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium for the diocesan gathering, in the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia for the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ (10 June), in the Gran Canaria Stadium for the massive Eucharist (11 June) and at the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife for the closing Mass (12 June). Official protocol places the Vatican flag to the right of the Spanish flag as seen from the audience (to the left from the stage), following Vatican diplomatic courtesy.
Curiosities about the Vatican flag
- Only two countries in the world have a square flag: Vatican City and Switzerland. The Papal States also had a square flag at some point in history.
- The coat of arms of the official Vatican City flag and the coat of arms of the reigning Pope are NOT identical: each Pope has his personal coat of arms with his episcopal motto, while the flag bears the institutional coat of arms of the Holy See.
- The yellow and white flag is also used by the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and other pontifical orders.
- The uniforms of the Pontifical Swiss Guard use the same yellow, red and blue colours traditionally attributed to Michelangelo, visually complementing the Vatican flag at official events.
- Vatican City is the smallest independent state in the world (0.49 km²) and yet its flag flies in more embassies than that of many countries: the Holy See maintains diplomatic relations with more than 180 states.
Where to buy a Vatican flag
If you want to attend the Pope’s events with the Vatican flag, there are models for outdoor poles, hand flags for vigils and small balcony flags. The 90×90 cm polyester models are the most used by pilgrims. Remember that the official flag is square (1:1).
Frequently asked questions
- Why is the Vatican flag yellow and white?
- The yellow and white colours were adopted in 1808 by Pope Pius VII to distinguish the papal troops from the French ones during the Napoleonic occupation. They were later associated with the symbolism of the two keys of Saint Peter (gold for heaven, silver for the earth).
- What does the coat of arms on the Vatican flag represent?
- The coat of arms is formed by two crossed keys (one gold and one silver) joined by a red cord and topped by the papal tiara. They represent the spiritual and temporal authority of the Pope as successor of Saint Peter, in reference to Matthew 16:19: "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven."
- When was the Vatican flag adopted?
- The current flag was formalised by the Lateran Pacts signed on 11 February 1929 between the Holy See and the Kingdom of Italy. It came into force on 7 June 1929, the date considered the official anniversary of the flag and of Vatican City State.
- Why is the Vatican flag square?
- The square shape (1:1 proportion) derives from the heraldic tradition of papal military and diplomatic standards used since the 19th century. Only two countries in the world have a square national flag: the Vatican and Switzerland.
- Is the Holy See flag the same as the Vatican flag?
- Yes, they are the same flag. The Holy See (the papal authority) and Vatican City (the physical state) share the same official flag. Some diplomatic representations use only the coat of arms on a white background as a variant.
- Can I bring a Vatican flag to the Pope’s events in Spain?
- Yes. At vigils, mass Eucharists and processions it is permitted and customary to bring the Vatican flag, the national flag and regional flags. In venues with access control (Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Gran Canaria Stadium) check the rules on permitted objects beforehand: rigid poles are usually prohibited for safety reasons.