The Vatican City State
Area: 121 acres (49 ha.) | Population: 820
The Vatican is the central seat of the Roman Catholic Church, also known as the “Holy See”. Since entering into the treaty of the Lateran Pact in 1929, It is a sovereign and independent state and geographically an enclave within Rome Italy.
The Treaty is part of the Italian constitution and provides for the sole authority over the Vatican state by the Holy See.
The form of government of the Holy See is considered to be a Monarchy with the head being the Pope, who is the “Bishop of Rome”, and who is elected by the “College of Cardinals”.
Coat of Arms
Papal Flag
The form of government of the Holy See is considered to be a Monarchy with the head being the Pope, who is the “Bishop of Rome”, and who is elected by the “College of Cardinals”.
The college of cardinals is comparable to a Senate. There are currently 203 cardinals from 69 countries, all of which are “appointed” by the Pope.
The Vatican’s affairs are managed and monitored by the “Roman Catholic Curia”, comparable to a cabinet, which includes Secretariats, Dicasteries, Congregations, Tribunals, Pontifical Councils, Offices, Pontifical commissions,the Labor office of the Apostolic See and the famous Pontifical Swiss Guard, which has provided security to the Vatican and especially the Pope since its establishment in 1506.
The Holy See is the center of the Catholic Church which currently has approximately 1.3 billion baptised members throughout the world. The Vicariate for Vatican city lists a total of 15 churches within the limits of the Vatican city. Rome hosts approximately 900 churches, including Basilicas, Parish, Rector, Annex, National, Regional and Eastern Catholic churches.
Castell Gandolfo
Only a few miles outside of Rome (15 mi/24 km) is the summer residence of the papacy, known as “Castel Gandolfo”. For centuries, popes retreated to that residence mostly during the summer months.
Castell Gandolfo
The property has been well maintained and while it has been closed to the public since its inception, very recently, the pope ordered the estate to be open to the public
St. Peters Square
Basilica
Vatican Museum
Vatican Museum