World's only person who doesn't need a visa for travelling to any country; not US President, British King, UN Chief, he is...
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A valid passport and an visa are perquisites for any person to legally travel outside the border of their country, and this rule applies to all Heads of State, Kings, Monarchs, diplomats, and even the United Nations secretary-general. But did you know there is one individual on the planet who does not require any of these documents, and can travel to any country across the world without a visa or a passport? Only man who can travel without a visa
The man we are talking about is the Pope, the head of the Catholic Church and the Vatican City– world's smallest country. The special status enjoyed by the Pope also comes with certain unique perks, including the ability to travel to any country without the need to carry a passport or a visa.
According to details, as the head of the Vatican City, the Pope is an internationally recognized diplomat, and has a diplomatic passport that allows him to travel without a visa. Pope Francis, who recently passed away, had visited more than 50 countries without requiring a visa. Visa, passport rules don't apply to the Pope
The Vatican diplomatic passport carried by the Pope allows visa-free travel to most countries globally, whenever the chief pontiff pays an official visit to a country, he is granted special exemptions, including visa-free travel, by the host nation. While some countries may have formalities for special security or political reasons, but usually, a visa is not mandatory for the Pope.
As the representative of 1.3 billion adherents of Catholic Christianity, the Pope is a state guest for the host country, and visa and passport rules do not apply to him. In many ways, the Pope's status is higher than any monarch, head of state, or diplomat, primarily because the Vatican is a religious and diplomatic entity that enjoys full sovereignty under international law Legality of Pope's status
The legality of the unique status enjoyed by the Pope stems from the Lateran Treaty of 1929, which granted sovereignty to Vatican, giving the Pope a full diplomatic immunity. Additionally, the Pope also receives special status under international treaties signed as part of the 1961 Vienna Convention.
Notably, a few countries, including China and Russia, sometimes place political conditions on the Pope's travel, but a visa is still required. No other person enjoys same perks as the Pope
Although the British royal family also enjoys some unique perks owing to their status, yet not at the level as those accorded to the Pope. King Charles III does not officially have a passport, as British passports are issued in his name, and does not usually require a visa, but this is not a blanket situation akin to the Pope, and is reliant on bilateral relations and royal protocol.
In contrast, the Japanese Emperor does require a visa for state visits, though he does not have an official passport. The constitution of Japan recognizes the Emperor as a symbol of the state, not the ruler.
Similarly, most countries, including the United States, offer visa exemption to the UN Secretary General, but certain states do require documentation in certain scenarios. The UN chief travels using the laissez-passe which is valid in most nations across the globe. Pope's 'Shepherd One' private jet
The Pope travels in his private jet 'Shepherd One', a name inspired by the Pope's symbolic role as the 'Shepherd of God's flock' in the Catholic Church.
Notably, the Shepherd One jet is not a permanent aircraft and is usually provided by Alitalia, Italy's national airline, or the host country's national carrier. The aircraft is usually a Boeing 787, Airbus A330 or similar large, long-haul aircraft, configured specifically for papal travel, featuring a private area for the Pope, a bed, and a separate space for meditation and prayer.
The Shepherd One has separate cabins for the Pope's aides Vatican officials, and journalists, and follows high-level security protocols, with the host country and the Vatican security teams monitoring the flight. The special aircraft displays the Vatican flag and the Pope's Coat of Arms, and usually departs from the Fiumicino Airport in Rome.
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