Vatican City is surrounded by Rome. We entered Vatican City through St. Peter's Square. The best way to walk to Vatican City from historic Rome is over the Ponte St. Angelo bridge. Across the bridge, one arrives at Castel St. Angelo, just outside Vatican City. And, you are there already.
Vatican City, also called The Holy See, is a tiny sovereign independent state. Vatican City is only .44 sq. km. The size of a golf course, I guess. It gained independence from Italy on February 11th, 1929. I guess this is the smallest nation in the world. The Vatican City may be small, but it is very powerful. It is the sovereign territory of the Holy See, or the seat of the Catholic Church (Basically its Central government), which has over 1 billion people (About 1 in 6 people on the planet) as constituents.
Vatican City has a population around 300 residents. This city employs merely 2,000 people to operates its own bank, post office, pharmacy, and commissary. And most of them are from Rome. But the unique thing is Vatican city doesn't have permanent citizens.
Citizenship of the Vatican City is conferred upon those who work in the city and it will be revoked when they stop working. The official languages are Latin and Italian.
Vatican City maintains diplomatic relations with more than 150 countries. It issues passports, coins, and stamps.It also has a radio station, Vatican Radio, and a publishing house. It involves actively in the industries, for instance, printing, production of coins, medals, postage stamps, worldwide banking and financial activities.
By the way, it involves none in agriculture and exports business. The most wonderful part is, as an ecclesiastical paradise, the Vatican City has no taxes.
Vatican City billets a force of Swiss Guards as well. The Swiss Guards are a small force responsible for the security of the Vatican city with various task including guarding the entrances to the Vatican as well as ensuring the personal safety of the Pope. Most of the Swiss Guards carry pistols and submachine-guns. The eligibility of the Swiss Guard is the crux that I been curious for. They must be Catholic, single males with Swiss citizenship who have completed basic training with the Swiss military and can obtain certificates of good conduct. New recruits must have a professional diploma or high school degree and must be between 19 and 30 years of age and at least 174 cm tall.
Nevertheless, qualified candidates must apply to serve. If accepted, new guards are sworn in every May 6 in the San Damaso Courtyard in the Vatican. The chaplain of the guard reads aloud the oath in the language of the guard (mostly German, some French, a little Italian):
(English translation) "I vow to faithfully, honestly and honorably serve the reigning Pope [name of Pope] and his legitimate successors, and to dedicate myself to them with all my strength, ready to sacrifice, should it become necessary, even my own life for them. I likewise assume this promise toward the members of the
Sacred College of Cardinals during the period of the
Sede Vacante of the
Apostolic See. Furthermore, I pledge to the Commandant and to my other superiors respect, fidelity, and obedience. I swear to abide by all the requirements attendant to the dignity of my rank."¹
Inside of Saint Peter's Square:
Reminder: Women must cover their shoulders, legs and arms, while men are required to wear long trousers. Vests and shorts are consider not appropriate attire. Vatican City has a strict dress code which dates back 400 years.
Vatican City, a small yet powerful nation, for me.
¹Swiss Guard, From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Have you ever been to Vatican City? Would you ever visit it whether you are Catholic or not?
Vatican City has a population around 300 residents. This city employs merely 2,000 people to operates its own bank, post office, pharmacy, and commissary. And most of them are from Rome. But the unique thing is Vatican city doesn't have permanent citizens.
Vatican City maintains diplomatic relations with more than 150 countries. It issues passports, coins, and stamps.It also has a radio station, Vatican Radio, and a publishing house. It involves actively in the industries, for instance, printing, production of coins, medals, postage stamps, worldwide banking and financial activities.
Reminder: Women must cover their shoulders, legs and arms, while men are required to wear long trousers. Vests and shorts are consider not appropriate attire. Vatican City has a strict dress code which dates back 400 years.
Vatican City, a small yet powerful nation, for me.¹Swiss Guard, From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Comments (4)
I really want to visit it, and a lot of other religious places too, solely on the fact that I'm not religious. I want to feel and learn why there are so many people in the world who put their faith into their respective religions. And also because of the amazing architecture.
I have never been here, but may visit the place in the future.
I have never visited the Vatican but if able to do so I would.
I think its the knees of men & women that need to be covered I was okay with capri pants and a polo. The Basilica is most definitely a powerful place. I was overcome with the history, cultural significance and sheer beauty & immensity of it that I was crying the whole time I was in there. Definitely cheesy & not typical of me but it is incredible.