Interesting Facts about the Papacy

The Vatican City

The Vatican City is the smallest independent state in the world in terms of size (44 hectares) and its population (842 as of July 2014). It is a walled country (or an “enclave”) within the Italian capital of Rome and is the ruled by the Bishop of Rome, who is currently Pope Francis.

The Vatican City is home to St. Peter’s Basilica which is the largest Roman Catholic church in the world, as well as the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums, as well as thousands of important artworks and sculptures.