User blog comment:Scrawland Scribblescratch/From Louis XIV to Palpatine: Absolute Leadership/@comment-32656-20120914043839/@comment-1738490-20120916222515

In fact the Vatican is more a theocracy, as right doesn't come from blood, tradition or any privilege that can be inherited by family or designation. The right to be Head of State comes from the sanctity of the religious institution and the former Head of State, who's will is to name those who will elect his successor.

Not every theocracy is absolute, off course, though their power, be cause of their own nature (legitimacy based on a divine concept) is greater than monarchical, as they could also influence the society by non-official ways and even influence foreign communities and states of the same religion.