Vatican City

Vatican City, independent state under the absolute authority of the pope of the Roman Catholic Church. It is an enclave within Rome, with an area of 44 hectares (110 acres); it has a population of around 1,000 (2001 estimate). The smallest independent country in the world, Vatican City was established in 1929 under terms of the Lateran Treaty, concluded by the Italian government and the papacy after many years of controversy. This treaty was superseded in 1984 by a new concordat, which, like its predecessor, recognized the full sovereignty of the Holy See (the jurisdiction of the pope) within the state of Vatican City. For the history of the papal territories before 1929, see Papal States.

Vatican City is situated on Vatican Hill in north-west Rome, just west of the River Tiber. It is surrounded by medieval and Renaissance walls and has six gates. Many of the most renowned artists and architects of the Italian Renaissance were commissioned by popes to work on the Vatican’s buildings. The most important of these is St Peter’s Basilica. Built for the most part between the 15th and 17th centuries, and designed by artists, including Bramante, Michelangelo, and Gianlorenzo Bernini, it is the world centre of the Roman Catholic faith. In front of the basilica is the great Piazza San Pietro (St Peter’s Square).

The other major edifice is the Palace of the Vatican, also known as the Papal Palace. It is a complex of buildings that contains more than 1,000 rooms and houses the papal apartments, the government offices of the Roman Catholic Church, several chapels and museums, and a library. The most famous portions of the palace are the Sistine Chapel, with its great ceiling frescoes painted by Michelangelo (restored 1980-1990); and Raphael’s Rooms, papal apartments with frescoes painted by the Italian artist Raphael.

The Vatican’s museums are outstanding and include the Gregorian Museum of Egyptian Art; the Gregorian Museum of Etruscan Art; the Pio Clementino Museum, with a superlative collection of antiquities; the Chiaramonti Museum; and the Vatican Pinacoteca, with representative works by Italian masters. The Vatican Library has a priceless collection of ancient manuscripts and more than 1 million bound volumes. Also within the Vatican’s walls are the Government Palace and the Vatican Gardens. The religious and public buildings of the city were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.

Vatican City is governed by the pope, who has absolute executive, legislative, and judicial powers. The executive powers are delegated to a governor, who is responsible directly to the pope. In the exercise of his legislative powers, the pope is advised and assisted by the Sacred College of Cardinals and by the various Sacred Congregations. The judicial powers are exercised by tribunals; appeals from their decisions are heard by the sacred Roman Rota and by the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature.

The Secretariat of State represents the Holy See in diplomatic relations with foreign powers. Swiss Guards maintain internal security and protection of the pope; the Piazza San Pietro is subject to the authority of the Italian police. Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer palace outside Rome, as well as other buildings located in Rome but outside of Vatican City, are endowed with extraterritoriality.

Vatican City has its own postal system and formerly its own currency, which was equal to the Italian lira. In January 2002, in line with Italy’s move to the new Euro currency, Vatican City also adopted the Euro. As at early 2008, 0.68 Euros equalled US$1. Vatican City also has a railway station and radio station—Vatican Radio—and manages its own telephone and telegraph services. Annual expenditures in 1994 were US$175 million, while revenues were US$175.5 million. Income sources include interest on investments and voluntary contributions (“Peter’s pence”). The Instituto per le Opere di Religione oversees distribution of capital designated for religious works. A daily newspaper and an official monthly journal are published, as are books and pamphlets in numerous languages.