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diplomatic relations
Maps / 15 weeks ago
How powerful is your passport?
According to the Henley & Partners Passport Index 2025, passports are ranked based on how many destinations their holders can access without a visa. The most powerful passports in the world now grant visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 190 countries, while the least powerful provide access to fewer than 40.
Politics / 25 weeks ago
Why some countries still don’t have diplomatic relations with the Holy See
Despite being the world’s smallest independent state by both area and population, the Holy See—the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Pope and the central authority of the Catholic Church—has one of the widest-reaching diplomatic networks on Earth. As of 2024, it maintains formal diplomatic relations with over 180 countries, along with the European Union and several international organisations. Yet, as the map above shows, a small group of countries remains outside this global circle. From communist giants to war-torn regions and ideologically rigid states, here’s a breakdown of why some nations still have no diplomatic ties with the Holy See.
