Curious1usa
Favorite Answer
The Vatican issues its own passports. The reigning pope is always issued Passport #1.
Visa requirements vary country by country, and are generally tied to reciprocal agreements. In terms of travel to the US, holders of Vatican City passports are not covered by the Visa Waiver Program - they are required to have a valid non-immigrant visa.
Nightowl
Yes he does need a passport, he gets the privilege of Vatican "Passport no.1" which is reissued for every pontiff. I think just about the only person in the world who does not need a passport is the British Monarch, as passports in the UK are issued in her name.
smilindave1
Of course. As a Head of State (the Vatican is a country not just the home of the Catholic religion) he has a diplomatic passport that grants him a lot more leaway than any regular passport might.
Vane
Yes of course, every body needs a visa to travel.
imacatholic2
Heads of state really do not need them.
But Pope Benedict XVI has two passports.
The Pope was allowed to keep his German passport: http://goliath.ecnext.com/comsite5/bin/pdinventory.pl?pdlanding=1&referid=2750&item_id=0199-5042314
The Vatican issues its own passports and the pope is always given the privilege of 'Passport No.1', which is reissued with the same number for every successive pontiff: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passport
With love in Christ.