Vatican City

Vatican City covers less than half a square kilometer, yet it holds large religious buildings, gardens, and offices inside Rome, Italy. St. Peter's Basilica rises above an oval square designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and behind it stand the Vatican Museums, where galleries house sculptures, tapestries, and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling. The city-state is enclosed by walls, with entry gates managed by the Swiss Guard.

The Vatican is an absolute elective monarchy led by the pope, who serves as both head of state and spiritual leader of the Catholic Church. Departments called dicasteries handle education, charity, communications, and diplomacy. Because there are no permanent neighborhoods, lay workers and clergy commute each day from Rome, and Vatican citizens are usually cardinals, diplomats, or guards serving on assignment.

The Vatican's history traces back to the tomb of Saint Peter, an apostle of Jesus, which inspired early Christians to worship on the site. The popes ruled large areas of central Italy for centuries, but in 1929 the Lateran Treaty between the Holy See and Italy settled disputes and confirmed Vatican City as an independent state. Since then, popes have hosted United Nations leaders, met with scientists, and encouraged dialogue among cultures.

Although tiny, Vatican City runs services found in larger countries. It issues passports, coins, and stamps, and it broadcasts radio and television programs in many languages. Conservators maintain priceless art, archivists protect centuries of letters, and gardeners tend palm trees, roses, and citrus groves inside the walls. Solar panels, electric vehicles, and recycling stations help reduce pollution in the historic setting.

Millions of visitors come to Vatican City each year. Pilgrims attend Mass, receive blessings, and participate in special events such as World Youth Day launches, while school groups study art history inside the museums. Guides remind guests to dress respectfully, use quiet voices, and watch for marble steps that may be slippery. Outside the walls, St. Peter's Square hosts weekly papal audiences where flags from around the world wave together.