Title: Vatican City | History, Map, Flag, Location, Population, & Facts | Britannica
Headings: Vatican City
Vatican City
Visit the holy site of Saint Peter's Basilica and learn about its history and architectural styles
Explore Vatican City's art treasure and understand Pope Leo Xs love for art which including both Biblical and secular themes
Vatican City

Content: Banking operations and expenditures have been reported publicly since the early 1980s. During the period from the 4th century to 1870, the Vatican gained control of territory around Rome and served as capital of the Papal States. In 1929 Vatican City’s independent sovereignty was recognized by the Fascist Italian government in the Lateran Treaty. Sovereignty is exercised by the pope upon his election as the head of the Roman Catholic Church. He has absolute executive, legislative, and judicial powers within the city. In 1984 a major reshuffle of offices in the Roman Curia resulted in the delegation of the routine administration of Vatican City to a pontifically appointed commission of five cardinals headed by the Secretariat of State. The inhabitants of Vatican City, the majority of whom are priests and nuns, also include several hundred laypersons engaged in secretarial, domestic, trade, and service occupations. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Subscribe Now
Visit the holy site of Saint Peter's Basilica and learn about its history and architectural styles
Overview of St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. Contunico © ZDF Enterprises GmbH, Mainz See all videos for this article
Special extraterritorial privileges are extended to more than 10 other buildings in Rome and to Castel Gandolfo, the pope’s summer residence in the Alban Hills.