The Vatican, the global center of the Catholic Church, is the world's smallest independent state, complete with its own newspaper, Latin national anthem, and supreme authority — the pope.
Within its historic walls, around 900 residents live, including the pope, cardinals in their red hats, nuns, priests, diplomats, and lay workers like gardeners, cooks, and cleaners.
Guarding its entrances are the Swiss Guards — the world’s oldest standing army — known for their striking blue, red, and yellow striped uniforms, alongside the Vatican’s own police force.
At the core of the Vatican’s power is the pope, dressed in white, who holds absolute authority as both the sovereign ruler and spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
The Vatican used to be part of the so-called Papal States, areas of Italy under the pope's reign for hundreds of years, until they were conquered during the course of Italian unification in the 19th century.
Rome was captured in 1870 and would became Italy's capital, with Pope Pius IX declaring himself a "prisoner in the Vatican", a claim held by subsequent popes until the Italian government struck a deal.
In 1929, the Vatican City State was created with the signing of the Lateran Accords between Pope Pius XI and Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, in which Italy recognised papal sovereignty over the territory.
Keys of heaven
The pope rules supreme in the 44 hectares (109 acres) of city state — one third of which are gardens.
The state's government is the Holy See, which is a sovereign juridical entity under international law.
The church itself is governed by the Roman Curia, which is made up of the secretariat of state, sixteen dicasteries or ministries, six financial institutions, and several academies and organisations.
Nationality is a "jus officii" system, based on residence and employment. The legal system is similar to Italy's, and suspected lawbreakers can be tried in the state's small courthouse.
Such trials and tribulations are reported in the Vatican's newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, and by Vatican Media, which operates in around 40 languages.
Employees earn tax-free salaries and have free medical care, but cannot form or join unions.
They can, however, use the Vatican's supermarket, post office and pharmacy. They can also use the Vatican's tiny railway -- the smallest national one in the world — which takes passengers out into Rome.
Money is kept in the once scandal-hit Vatican bank, the Institute for Religious Works (IOR), which has undergone a clean-up and is responsible for assets belonging to religious orders and organisations.
The Vatican's national anthem, the "Pontifical March", is the only one in the world sung in Latin, while its flag features two bands of yellow and white, bearing the keys of St Peter — the keys of heaven.
Courteys: AFP
Bd-pratidin English/FNC
