Vatican City (The Holy See)

The moon climbs slowly past the Michelangelo-designed dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. The world's smallest independent nation is the spiritual center for the world's one billion Catholics. From this state within the city of Rome, the Pope ministers to a flock of more than a billion Roman Catholics. The Lateran Treaty between Italy and the Holy See created an independent Vatican City in 1929. The Holy See maintains diplomatic relations with more than 150 countries; issues passports, coins, and stamps; has a radio station and a publishing house; and billets a force of Swiss Guards. John Paul II, the first non-Italian Pope in 455 years, was elected in 1978. Pope Benedict XVI was elected head of the Roman Catholic Church and Vatican City in 2005 after Pope John Paul II's death. Vatican City state in the world in terms of inhabitants and size. It occupies an area of 44 hectares. The borders are represented by its walls and the travertine pavement curve that joins the two wings of the colonnades in St Peter’s Square. Beyond the territory of the State, Vatican jurisdiction also covers some extraterritorial areas within and outside Rome.