Article 24 of Liberland vs The World
Liberland vs. Vatican City: Soul vs. Code
The Free Republic of Liberland, a self-proclaimed micro-nation founded in 2015 on a 7 km² disputed parcel along the Danube River, envisions a libertarian society with blockchain-based governance, the Liberland Dollar (LLD) cryptocurrency, and a global reach of ~800,000 applications for citizenship.
Vatican City, the world’s smallest sovereign state at 44 hectares and 800 residents (World Bank, 2025), is the spiritual capital of 1.3 billion Catholics and the seat of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff.
Both are idea-driven enclaves: one built on coercive faith, the other on code.
This article compares Liberland and Vatican City across Historical Origins, Culture & Society, Environment, Governance & Economy, and Diplomacy, highlighting pathways for Liberland’s growth.
Historical Origins
• Liberland: Founded on April 13, 2015, by Vít Jedlička, Liberland claims terra nullius in the Siga pocket, a disputed area from the Yugoslavia breakup. Rooted in libertarian principles inspired by Mises and Rothbard, it seeks minimal government, though it remains unrecognized.
• Vatican City: Established by the Lateran Treaty on 11 February 1929; papal sovereignty since 756 CE. Pope Leo XIV was elected on 8 May 2025, succeeding Pope Francis.
• Comparison: Both began as refuges: Vatican from secular Italy, Liberland from state overreach. The Holy See’s 1,300-year continuity offers Liberland a masterclass in enduring sovereignty.
Culture & Society
• Liberland: With ~800,000 citizen applicants globally and a very small physical population, Liberland’s culture is digital, libertarian, and merit-based. Its e-residency program fosters a global community united by voluntaryism and blockchain innovation. Events like the Floating Man festival promote a freedom-centric identity.
• Vatican City: 800 residents (mostly clergy) plus 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide; Latin liturgy, Swiss Guard tradition, and global moral influence under Pope Leo XIV’s motto: “Let the algorithm never write your story.”
• Comparison: Liberland’s digital diaspora mirrors the Vatican’s spiritual diaspora. The Holy See’s soft-power model shows Liberland how to turn citizens into ambassadors.
Environment
• Liberland: The 7 km² Gornja Siga pocket along the Danube features wetlands, ideal for sustainable development. My proposed Community Land Trust (CLT) with blockchain tracking aims for eco-friendly land use, avoiding wealth-driven elitism.
• Vatican City: 44 hectares; 100 % LED lighting, solar panels on the Paul VI Hall, carbon-neutral goal by 2030 (Laudato Si’).
• Comparison: Both are tiny yet green: Vatican’s zero-waste micro-city can inspire Liberland’s CLT.
Governance & Economy
• Liberland: Governed minimally via blockchain-based voting and Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), Liberland’s economy relies on the Liberland Dollar (LLD) cryptocurrency, with no taxes and voluntary contributions. My proposed Transparency and Accountability Act (LTAA) aims to ensure market fairness through blockchain transparency.
• Vatican City: Absolute elective monarchy; Pope Leo XIV elected for life; revenue from museums, stamps, and donations; GDP per capita not published but the numbers should be published as they are considered the global charity arm.
• Comparison: Vatican’s theocracy vs. Liberland’s cryptocracy: both prove a micronation can run on ideas, not taxes.
Diplomacy
• Liberland: Unrecognized by UN members, Liberland seeks informal recognition through MOUs (e.g., Somaliland) and crypto-friendly alliances (e.g., El Salvador). Its e-residency program serves as a diplomatic tool.
• Vatican City: 180+ embassies; Pope Leo XIV mediated the Turkey–Lebanon ceasefire in December 2025.
• Comparison: The Vatican’s moral diplomacy is Liberland’s fastest route to influence: swap rosaries for smart contracts.
Infographic Chart
Conclusion
Vatican City proves a microstate can wield global moral authority without armies. The problem though is that Pope Leo XIV’s soft-power diplomacy is almost a false argument, the “catholic” majority countries will do their bidding for the church just as they did in the crusades of the Middle Ages. One also must look at the “indulgences” of the church that so alarmed Martin Luther that a war that lasted over a century in the whole of Europe occurred because the church didn’t want to lose power in those regions. A green micro-city, is easy to do when you are the worlds smallest country but I’m sure Rome still provides all of the “city’s” utilities though. The 1,300-year brand offer Liberland a timeless playbook, yeah one of taxation via church taxes which some places in Europe still impose. While I wrote some of this in version one I kept myself from being too critical but I see I cannot be like that the hidden satanic pedo rings, the secret hidden archives that cover mellenia of history and their selective charity work warn Liberland to not allow such activities to EVER occur within it’s borders.
