VATICAN CITY STATE AND ITS ROLE IN DE-ESCALATING TENSIONS BETWEEN THE ISLAMIC WORLD AND THE CHRISTIAN WORLD

Abstract

The legal identity of the Vatican City State, its position in the international arena and its role in the interaction and hostility between Islam and Christianity are important issues that have not been addressed much. However, the Vatican is of great importance due to its special situation and position at the international level, especially among Christian countries. The main question of the present article is that how the nature and position of the Vatican City state was and what effect did this city government have on the detente between Islam and Christianity? The present article is a descriptive-analytical and examines the question using the library method. The results of the article show that the Catholic World Church, according to its official teachings, is neither a monarchy, nor a sect, nor a democracy. Its rule is unique. Its rule is unique. Because the church has a unique nature and the pope presides over it and is a member of it. The Vatican City State has been recognized as a city-state in order to maintain and promote the spiritual influence of the pope in the world, and various countries can establish relations with it.

Regarding the role of the Vatican in de-escalating tensions between the Muslim world and Christianity, it should be said that the Vatican has always emphasized interaction and negotiations between religions, including Islam. In practice, however, some of the pope's stances have challenged such an approach, sparking religious anger and hatred among Muslims. The words of Pope Benedict XVI in his harsh introduction of Islam in 2006 can be evaluated in this regard. In the period of Pope Francis, although efforts have been made to bring religions closer, it does not seem to be enough to further de-escalate tensions between Islam and Christianity.