Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/252115 
Year of Publication: 
2022
Series/Report no.: 
CESifo Working Paper No. 9598
Publisher: 
Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo), Munich
Abstract: 
We analyze the effect of state visits by the Catholic pope on human rights in the host country to understand how a small theocracy like the Vatican can exert disproportionate political influence in international politics. Our theoretical model of the strategic interaction between the Catholic Church and host governments shows how the pope's use of conditional approval and criticism incentivizes governments to refrain from human rights violations. Drawing on a new dataset of papal state visits outside Italy and a novel identification strategy, we test for the first time whether governments react by improving human rights protection in anticipation of a papal visit. Our empirical analysis offers robust evidence in support of this causal effect.
Subjects: 
Catholic Church
human rights
international political economy
pope
repression
rewards
sanctions
JEL: 
D74
D78
F50
K38
P16
P26
P48
Z12
Document Type: 
Working Paper
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