Vatican City is the smallest country in the world situated on the Vatican hill, on the right bank of the Tiber River, within the city of Rome. Its territory consists of a walled enclave within the Italian capital city. Official name is the State of the Vatican City. Its existence started on 11 February 1929 with the signing of the Lateran Treaty between the Vatican and the kingdom of Italy. Of course, the Holy See as central authority of the Roman Catholic Church, existed long before 1929.

Vatican City is an ecclesiastical or sacerdotal-monarchical state, ruled by the Bishop of Rome - the Pope (Ecclesiology is the study of the theological understanding of the Christian church, while sacerdotalism is the idea that a propitiatory sacrifice for sin must be offered by the intervention of an order of men separated to the priesthood). The highest state functionaries are all clergymen of the Roman Catholic Church. It is the sovereign territory of the Holy See (Sancta Sedes) and the location of the Pope's residence, referred to as the Apostolic Palace. The Pope has full power over executive, legal, and judicial branches. Executive power over the area is in the hands of a commission of cardinals appointed by the Pope. The College of Cardinals is the Pope's chief advisory body. Upon Pope's death the cardinals who are under eighty years of age elect his successor for life.

The name "Vatican" is older than Christianity. It comes from the Latin Mons Vaticanus, meaning Vatican Mount. The term Vatican was used in ancient times to identify the area between the present Sixtus Bridge and the Milvio Bridge, located on the right bank of the Tiber River. The territory of Vatican City spans over Mons Vaticanus and adjacent former Vatican Fields where various buildings were built: the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, the Apostolic Palace, museums and many other buildings. The area of the Vatican City was part of the Roman rione of Borgo until 11 February 1929 when the Lateran Treaty gave the state its present form. St. Peter's Square is also part of the territory, it touches territory of Italy, Piazza Pio XII, by a white line along the limits of the square. Some properties of the Holy See are located in Italian territory (i.e. Castel Gandolfo and the major basilicas). They enjoy extraterritorial status similar to that of foreign embassies. This territory is not patrolled by Italian police but by the police agents of the Vatican City State. St. Peter's Square is ordinarily policed jointly by both, Italian police and police agents of the Vatican City State.

Despite the fact that under international law Vatican City State is a recognized national territory, all diplomatic relations are conducted by the Holy See on behalf of the Vatican City State.Therefore, the Vatican City State has no own diplomatic service. All foreign embassies to the Holy See are not located in the Vatican City but in the city of Rome.

Pope represents Vatican City State and manages its relations with foreign states through the Secretariat of State. The Holy See as the sovereign body of the Catholic Church and Vatican City State have always received full international recognition. The Vatican City State and the Holy See take part in international conferences, participate in international agreements and are members of international organizations.

The Vatican City has also Television Centre, created in 1983 by Pope John Paul II. It is an independent body in Vatican City State that acts as an agency at the service of other television networks. It has the task of filming public events and ceremonies connected with the Pope. All this footage is available to television stations that request it.

Visiting Vatican means visiting Rome. Whether you are Roman Catholic or not, a visit to the Vatican City is strongly recommended for everybody visiting Rome. Interesting places include the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Square, St. Peter's Basilica and many museums. Be prepared to wait in queues for St. Peter's Cathedral and the Vatican Museum (which includes the Sistine Chapel). Please visit the page Visiting Rome for some hints and advices.