Published by Douglas Scott - Sep 7, 2007 at 00:17:58
Vatican City, is the official State of the Vatican City is a land locked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome. Vatican City gained independence from Italy on 11 February, 1929
The Holy See also known as Vatican City is the seat of the Catholic religion and home of the Pope since 1378. The Vatican City, is one of the most sacred places in Christendom, and is the largest religious building in the world. It is surrounded by Rome. Visitors enter Vatican City through St. Peter's Square.
It is the smallest sovereign state in the world. It has its own currency, passport, postal service, newspapers, radio station and rail road system. It has a population of less than 1000 who are almost entirely of Church personnel.
The pope has full legal, executive, and judicial powers. 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, and upon his death the cardinals elect his successor for life.
You can have an audiences with the Pope on a Wednesday morning. As you can imagine, tickets need to be reserved well a head of time.
The founding of the Vatican Museums can be traced back to 1503 when the newly-elected Pope, Julius II della Rovere, placed a statue of Apollo in the internal courtyard of the Belvedere Palace it was built by Innocent VIII.
On May 13, 1981, a Turkish terrorist shot the pope in St. Peter's Square, the first assassination attempt against the pontiff in modern times.
Vatican City receives approximately 17,000 visitors per day. The Vatican City is not a member of the United Nations.
The Swiss Guards protect Vatican City in their Renaissance costumes, with puffed sleeves and knickerbockers striped blue, red, and yellow, they stand on either side of the basilica, guarding the gates into Vatican City. The Swiss Guard banner is a white cross divides the banners in four quarters. In the right lower corner is displayed Pope Julius II's coat of arms, in the middle is displayed the commanders own coat of arms. The ruling Pope coat-of-arms is in the left upper quarter, the other quarters display the Swiss Guard colours
The Vatican Museum is a great historic museum. There are over 5,000 statues and sculptures inside and 2,000 ceiling paintings and murals.
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