The smallest state in the world is one of the most powerful, when it comes to religious influence. The head of this miniature state is the Pope and its approximately 850 inhabitants are almost exclusively priests and nuns. In former times this ecclesiastical state, also known as "Patrimonium Petri", embraced a large area of central Italy. In the Lateran Treaties, concluded in 1929 between the Vatican and the Italian government, the papal territory was restricted to an area of 44 hectares. This enclave, situated in the western part of Rome on the right-hand bank of the Tiber, includes St. Peter's Cathedral and its huge forecourt, the papal palace and several administrative buildings and gardens.

The Vatican Palace not only contains the Pope's chambers and the administrative offices  of the Roman Catholic Church. Its over one thousand rooms contain a large number of museums, housing famous art collections. The Sistine Chapel with frescoes by Michelangelo is also part of the Vatican Palace. Michelangelo is also said to have designed the splendid uniforms of the Swiss Guard.

The Swiss Guard is responsible for the Pope's security. It is the Roman police, on the other hand, who are responsible for the security of the millions of visitors who gather on St. Peter's Square to receive the Pope's blessing. Vatican City has its own railway station and issues its own stamps at its post and telegraph offices. It also has a radio station, which broadcasts in 34 languages, and a daily newspaper, "L´Osservatore Romano".