Papal State

The Papal State (Latin: Status Pontificus), officially the State of the Church (Latin: Status Ecclesiasticus) is an independent city-state enclaved within Urceopolis, Urcea. It is distinct from yet under "full ownership, exclusive dominion, and sovereign authority and jurisdiction" of the Holy See. It is among the world's smallest states in terms of both population and area. The Papal State is an ecclesiastical or sacerdotal-monarchical state (a type of theocracy) ruled by the Pope who is, religiously speaking, the Bishop of Urceopolis and head of the Catholic Church. The highest state functionaries are all Catholic clergy of various national origins.

The Holy See dates back to early Christianity, and is the primate episcopal see of the Catholic Church. The Papal State, on the other hand, came into existence organically during the decline and collapse of Great Levantia and reached its zenith during the Great Interregnum of Urcea before entering into something approximating its modern borders in the 14th and 15th centuries.