<P> The name Vatican city was first used in the Lateran Treaty , signed on 11 February 1929 , which established the modern city - state . The name is taken from Vatican Hill , the geographic location of the state . `` Vatican '' is derived from the name of an Etruscan settlement , Vatica or Vaticum meaning garden , located in the general area the Romans called vaticanus ager , `` Vatican territory '' . </P>
<P> The name Vatican city was first used in the Lateran Treaty , signed on 11 February 1929 , which established the modern city - state . The name is taken from Vatican Hill , the geographic location of the state . `` Vatican '' is derived from the name of an Etruscan settlement , Vatica or Vaticum meaning garden , located in the general area the Romans called vaticanus ager , `` Vatican territory '' . </P>
when did vatican city become its own country
when did vatican city become its own country
11 February 1929
11 February 1929