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This is a collection of pictures from the Vatican. It is an independent city-state and enclave located within Rome, Italy.
If you look up all articles from the Vatican, you will also find a world heritage site and a regular travelogue. Before you do, start with these pictures from the Vatican.
Afterwards, find more photo galleries on Sandalsand.
Fast facts
Learn about the country on Wikipedia. Here is a moderated excerpt:
Vatican City, officially the Vatican City State, is an independent city-state and enclave located within Rome, Italy. It became independent from Italy with the Lateran Treaty (1929). It is a distinct territory under “full ownership, exclusive dominion, and sovereign authority and jurisdiction” of the Holy See. This is a sovereign entity of international law, which maintains the city state’s temporal, diplomatic, and spiritual independence.
With an area of 49 hectares and a population of about 825, it is the smallest state in the world by both area and population. As governed by the Holy See, the Vatican City State is an ecclesiastical or sacerdotal-monarchical state (a type of theocracy) ruled by the pope who is the bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church. The highest state functionaries are all Catholic clergy of various national origins. After the Avignon Papacy (1309–1377) the popes have mainly resided at the Apostolic Palace within what is now Vatican City, although at times residing instead in the Quirinal Palace in Rome or elsewhere.
Within Vatican City are religious and cultural sites such as St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums. They feature some of the world’s most famous paintings and sculptures. The unique economy of Vatican City is supported financially by donations from the faithful, by the sale of postage stamps and souvenirs, fees for admission to museums, and sales of publications.
