Know The Vatican - 15 facts about the Papal Seat!!

1. As we all know - the smallest country in the world

Encircled by a 2-mile border with Italy, Vatican City is an independent city-state with an area just over 100 acres!!

2. The Absolute monarch

Vatican City is governed as an absolute monarchy with the pope at its head making him at present the only absolute monarch in the whole of Europe.

3. Everything on its own

The Vatican mints its own euros, prints its own stamps, issues passports and license plates, operates media outlets and has its own flag and anthem. The Pope, cardinals, members of the Swiss guard and clergy are its recipients.

4. No taxes!!

The city doesn’t collect taxes. They generate revenue through the museum admission fees, stamp and souvenir sales, and contributions.

5. The Square

Piazza di San Pietro (St Peter's Square) and the colonnade were designed and built by Bernini (completed in 1667). At 314 meters long and 240 meters wide, 140 statues of saints decorate the colonnade.

6. Loggia of the Benediction

The balcony upon which the newly elected Pope stands is called "Loggia of the Benediction", it is from here that many millions around the world hear the first blessing "Urbi et Orbi" , to the city and the world.

7. St. Peter’s Basilica sits atop a city of the dead - A Roman necropolis

The present basilica, built starting in the 1500s, sits over a maze of catacombs and St. Peter’s suspected grave. Believed to be a mass tomb of those crucified and buried by Emperor Nero in A.D. 64, the grave of St. Peter—disciple of Jesus Christ is also believed to be here.

8. In 4th A.D

By the fourth century and official recognition of the Christian religion in Rome, Emperor Constantine began construction of the original basilica atop the ancient burial ground with the tomb of St. Peter at its center.

9. Vatican became the Papal seat only from the 14th century

The Popes lived principally at the Lateran Palace across Rome till the 14th century. Then in 1309 the papal court moved to Avignon, France, after King Philip IV arranged for a French cardinal to be elected pope.

The absolute Seat

It was not until 1377, that the Vatican started to be used as a papal residence as Lateran palace was completely destroyed by then.

10. Was there ever a female Pope?!

Popular legend says that there indeed was a female Pope! John Anglicus, born in Mainz, became Pope Joan for two years, seven months and four days from 855-857 disguised as a male!

Pope Joan

While Pope she became pregnant by her companion and it is said she gave birth during a procession from St Peter's Basilica to the Lateran. After her identity was discovered she was killed and buried in that same place. Many historians have rejected this rumour.

11. It was Mussolini who signed Vatican City into existence!

The Vatican City became a sovereign state when the dispute between the Italian government and the Catholic Church ended in 1929 with the signing of the Lateran Pacts.

Standing Tall

And what more? it was the fascist Benito Mussolini, the then head of the Italian government that signed the treaty on behalf of King Victor Emmanuel III.

12. Secret passageways? Of course!!!

St Basilica like all medieval constructions is ridden with secret passages. In 1277, a half-mile-long elevated covered passageway, the Passetto di Borgo, was constructed to link the Vatican with the fortified Castel Sant’Angelo on the banks of the Tiber River.

Haven of Secrets!

It served as an escape route for popes, most notably in 1527 when it saved the life of Pope Clement VII during the sack of Rome.

13. It drinks more wine than anywhere else in the world!!

An average Vatican resident consumes 54.26 litres of wine every year, giving this country the highest wine consumption rate per capita in the world.

14. The majority of Vatican City’s 600 citizens live abroad.

As of 2011, of the 594 of Vatican's citizens, the largest group - 307 members of the clergy in diplomatic positions around the world lived outside of it. Then the total population includes 71 cardinals, 109 members of the Swiss Guard, 51 members of the clergy and one nun inside the Vatican walls.

15. The only country that is entirely a UNESCO world heritage by itself

Italy has more UNESCO world heritage sites than anywhere else in the world, but the Vatican is the only country to be entirely designated as a world heritage site. From the Photo: On 3rd March 2013, after five rounds of voting the 76-year-old Argentinean Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected the first Latin American and first Jesuit to head the Catholic Church. He is also the first non-European to head the Holy See in over 1,300 years. General Fact: During the installation Mass, the new pope receives his regalia, which include the Fisherman's Ring and the Papal pallium.