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Vatican City Facts for Kids 12/5/18, 907 AM

Not to be confused with .

Vatican City (officially Vatican City ) is a Vatican City State and the smallest country in the by Stato della Città del Vaticano size, at 0.44 km². It is an enclave, which means it is completely surrounded by the city of , the capital of (it is one of only four in the world like this, the others being , also in Italy, St.Martin in and in ). It was established on , 1929, with the Agreement that was signed by Benito Mussolini and Pius XI. The Vatican City is the of the Roman and Anthem: Inno e Marcia Pontificale (Italian) Pontifical Anthem and its government, the Holy See.

The is the Pope, now , former cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was elected on 13 March 2013. It is also important for its culture and art. The Vatican's masterpieces are very well known in the world: St. 's Square, St. Peter's , the Sistine , the Vatican and the Apostolic , where the Pope lives. There are also hundreds of other

Location of Vatican City (green) sculptures and pictures. on the European continent (dark grey) — [Legend]

Capital Vatican City

Contents Official Italian

History Government Ecclesiastical; sacerdotal- monarchical; Politics and Government absolute ; ; elective . - Sovereign Francis

Geography - President of the Economy https://kids.kiddle.co/Vatican_City Page 1 of 14 Vatican City Facts for Kids 12/5/18, 907 AM

Governorate Demographics Pontifical Commission Culture Independence from the

Images - Lateran 11

Area - Total 44 ha (250th) History 110 acres Population It is supposed that this originally uninhabited part - July 839 (240th) of Rome (the ) had always been 2013 estimate considered sacred, even before the arrival of - Density 1877/km2 (6th) . In 326 the first church was built on the 4,859/sq mi supposed site of the tomb of Peter, and from (€)b (EUR) then on the started to become more CET (UTC+1) populated. - Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)

Italy used to be many different, smaller states, Drives on the right rather than one country. The Pope used to rule the Calling code +379 , which included most of Italy. ISO 3166 code VA

Catholic had generally tried to stop Italy TLD .va from becoming one country because they feared a. Euro used since 1 January 2002. Before 2002, the they would lose their control of at least one of the currency was the Vatican , on a par with the . Papal States. In 1861 Italy was unified under the King of Savoy, but Rome and Latium remained unconquered. On September 20, 1870 Italian troops invaded. Rome became capital of the new kingdom.

The Pope claimed he was a prisoner of the Italian state and excommunicated all the people who helped invade the Papal state. This stopped Catholics from taking part in public life under Catholic government.

In 1929 , decided to sign an agreement with the Holy See, called the , which created the Vatican State. Another treaty gave the Vatican money each year to compensate

https://kids.kiddle.co/Vatican_City Page 2 of 14 Vatican City Facts for Kids 12/5/18, 907 AM for the lost .

Politics and Government

The government structure is a theocracy with the Pontifical leader being the highest authority. A is elected by the to become and leader of the Holy See and the Romans . The Pope also holds the of "Bishop of Rome".

Religion

The religion of the city is the Church.

Geography

The Vatican City is situated on the in the northwestern part of Rome, several hundred metres west of the river. Its borders (3.2 km in total, all with Italy) closely follow the city wall constructed to protect the Pope from outside attack. The situation is more complex at the famous St. Peter's Square in front of the St. Peter's Basilica, where the correct border is the middle of the round area surrounded by Bernini's columns. It is the smallest sovereign state in the world (108.7 acres). In addition to Vatican City the State includes certain extra-territorial properties in Italy belonging to the Holy See (Major , Curial and St. Peter's square seen from the basilica. diocesan offices, Castel Gandolpho). The Pope is the Head of State, though he governs through the Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City. The Gubernator manages the to day affairs of the State.

Its climate is naturally much the same as Rome's; a temperate, mediterranean clime with mild, rainy winters from September to mid-May and hot, dry summers from May to September.

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This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by contributions (known as Peter's pence) from Roman Catholics throughout the world, the sale of postage stamps, and tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, and the sale of publications. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to, or somewhat better than, those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome. A Vatican Post office in Vatican City. Demographics

Almost all of Vatican City's 800 citizens live 's walls. The Vatican citizenry consists mostly of , including high dignitaries, priests, , as well as the famous , a voluntary military force. There are also about 3,000 lay workers who comprise the majority of the Vatican work force, but who reside outside the Vatican.

The official is , the otherwise extinct language that originated in Rome and has remained in use in the Roman Catholic Church. Italian and, to a lesser extent, other languages are generally used for most conversations, publications and broadcasts.

Culture

The Vatican City is itself of great cultural significance. Buildings such as St. Peter's Basilica or the are home to what is considered some of most beautiful art in the world, which includes works by artists such as Botticelli, Bernini and . It also has a large and valuable library and the collections of the are of the highest historical, scientific and cultural importance.

Images

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The basilica, in early morning The Vatican was originally taken from by .

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The in 1796. The shaded Bands of the British army's 38th Brigade playing in front of in central Italy is the Papal St Peter's Basilica, June 1944. State.

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Territory of Vatican City State according to the Lateran Treaty. A guard of the Vatican in Swiss formal attire.

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Pontifical in their traditional uniform.

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Gendarmerie car.

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Palace of the of Vatican City State. The Ingresso di Sant'Anna, an entrance to Vatican City from Italy.

The Caffè della in the The Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani) display works from the Cortile del . extensive collection of the Catholic Church.

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Vatican's Railway Station.

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Michelangelo's Pietà, in the Basilica, is one of the Vatican's best known artworks.

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Michelangelo's on the Sistine Chapel , "an artistic vision without precedent".

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The elaborately decorated Sistine Hall in the .

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