You could be forgiven if you assumed the Vatican — headquarters of Roman Catholicism — was a district of Rome. After all, the religion even has the city’s name in its title. But you would be mistaken! Although it’s located entirely within Rome, the home of the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica is actually its own sovereign country. Here are some facts about the Vatican.
1. Vatican City is the smallest country in the world.
Vatican City where the Pope calls home. It also holds some of the most remarkable artwork in the world, and if you happen to be a Roman Catholic you will find it to be the religion’s spiritual and literal capital. It is also unquestionably the world’s smallest sovereign country. It has fewer than 900 residents and the territory takes up around 100 acres. By comparison, Central Park in New York City is 8 times the size! But in spite of its small size, they function like any other country would. For instance, they issue international passports, they have their own flag, national anthem and post office. Their euros even contain the Pope’s face!
2. Vatican City as its own country is relatively new
The founding of the Catholic Church might date back nearly 2000 years, but Vatican City hasn’t even celebrated its 100th birthday as an independent country yet. It has only been recognized as sovereign since 1929, when everybody’s second favorite evil World War II dictator, Benito Mussolini, signed the Lateran Treaty.
3. Vatican City is the only country on the UNESCO World Heritage site list.
Although Italy boasts the most UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world, since 1984 Vatican City has held the distinction of being the only country to be a UNESCO site all in itself!
4. You have to work in Vatican City to gain citizenship
Unlike countries where you automatically become a citizen if you’re born there (or have parents who are citizens), the only way to be granted Vatican City citizenship is by working there as a member of the clergy, Swiss Guard, etc. If you happen to get fired, your citizenship is revoked. Talk about adding insult to injury! But don’t worry; you don’t become a stateless refugee. You become a citizen of Italy if Vatican citizenship was all you previously had.
