Vaticans

Vaticans is an uncommon plural form that is sometimes used to refer to the Vatican City State and its governing institutions, the Holy See, and the related administrative structures of the Roman Catholic Church centered in Rome.

The Vatican City State is an independent, sovereign city-state enclaved within Rome, Italy. It covers about 44 hectares and has a population of roughly 800 to 1,000 residents, most of whom are clergy, members of the Papal Household, or civil servants. The state represents the material basis for the Catholic Church’s central administration and its ceremonial functions.

Sovereignty is shared in a unique way. The Holy See is a separate juridical entity that governs Catholic Church affairs globally and maintains diplomatic relations with many states. The Pope is the sovereign of the Vatican City State, while the Holy See conducts international relations and serves as the central governing authority of the Church. Civil administration within the state is carried out by the Governorate of Vatican City State, led by a President and a small civil service. The Holy See and the Vatican City State maintain a cooperative but distinct set of responsibilities.

The Vatican houses some of the Church’s most important institutions and treasures. Notable sites include St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Library, and the Vatican Apostolic Archives. These institutions preserve religious, artistic, and historical works and make the Vatican a major pilgrimage and cultural destination.

Historically, the modern sovereignty of Vatican City was established by the Lateran Treaty of 1929, following the unification of Italy and the dissolution of the Papal States. The Vatican’s economy relies on donations, tourism, and the administration of assets and services for the Holy See.