Back to intro The Sistine Chapel Papal Apartments St. Peter's Square St. Peter's Basilica St. Martha's House

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 Vatican guide

VATICAN CITY
The spiritual and administrative capital of Roman Catholicism - the smallest independent country in the world - is located in the north-west of the Italian capital. It measures just 0.44 sq km (0.17 sq miles). The Vatican has its own flag and anthem and its official language is Latin. The resident population of dignitaries, nuns and priests numbers just over 900.

  

map of Vatican within Rome The Vatican is entirely surrounded by Italian territory

Swiss Guard on duty Elite soldiers of the Vatican’s Swiss Guard protect the Pope

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