Vatikaani

Vatikaani, or Vatican City, is an independent city-state that is enclaved within Rome, Italy. It covers about 44 hectares and hosts around 800 residents, making it the smallest internationally recognized state by both area and population. The Holy See, the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Catholic Church, is the sovereign entity that conducts diplomatic relations and spiritual leadership, while Vatican City is the territorial state that provides the temporal government for the Holy See’s operations.

Governance and structure: The Pope is the head of state of Vatican City. The civil government is the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, appointed by the Pope, which oversees the Governorate of Vatican City State and public administration. The Secretary of State of the Holy See handles foreign relations and diplomacy. The Swiss Guard provides ceremonial and personal security for the pope.

History and relations: Vatican City was established as a sovereign state in 1929 under the Lateran Treaty between the Holy See and Italy, creating a distinct entity that is independent from Italy but closely linked to the Catholic Church.

Economy and services: The state maintains its own post office, telecommunications, and currency arrangements, but uses the euro. Its revenue comes from contributions to the Holy See, revenue from the Vatican Museums and other cultural institutions, and the sale of stamps and souvenirs.

Culture and sites: Vatican City hosts major cultural and religious sites, including St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums. It is a major destination for pilgrims and tourists and functions as a center of Catholic administration, theology, and diplomacy. Official activities primarily occur in Italian and Latin, with multilingual use in diplomatic and ecclesiastical contexts.