- Population:
- 496
- Religion:
- Christianity
The Vatican City, established as an independent state in 1929 through the Lateran Treaty, is the center of the Roman Catholic Church. It is governed by the Pope and serves as a spiritual and administrative hub for Catholics worldwide, with its economy supported by donations, tourism, and religious activities.
The Holy See, also known as Vatican City, is an independent city-state enclaved within Rome, Italy. Covering an area of about 44 hectares (110 acres), it is the smallest independent state in the world by both area and population, with around 800 residents as of 2023. Established in 1929 with the Lateran Treaty, the Vatican serves as the spiritual and administrative center of the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope, currently Pope Francis, serves as the sovereign. The Vatican's economy is supported by contributions from Catholics worldwide, as well as income from investments, real estate, and the sale of postage stamps and souvenirs. The city-state is renowned for its cultural and historical sites, including St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums, which house invaluable art collections. The Vatican maintains its own postal service, media outlets, and security force, the Swiss Guard. It is a member of international organizations such as the United Nations and the International Telecommunication Union.
