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Vatican City

Vatican City is important because it’s the spiritual headquarters of Roman Catholicism and home to some of the world’s most famous art and architecture. It’s also the world’s smallest independent country and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Significance to Christianity

  • The Vatican is the seat of the papacy, making it the spiritual center of Roman Catholicism.
  • The Vatican contains the tomb of St. Peter.
  • The Vatican is a place of pilgrimage.
Architectural and artistic significance 
  • The Vatican is home to St. Peter’s Basilica, the world’s largest religious building.
  • The Vatican contains the Sistine Chapel and other masterpieces.
  • The Vatican is home to a vast collection of art, including pre-Christian sculpture and works from the 20th century.
History and governance
  • The Vatican became independent from Italy in 1929.
  • The Vatican is governed as an absolute monarchy with the pope at its head.
  • The Vatican is protected by the Swiss Guards, who also guard official entrances to Vatican City.