Vatican City is the world’s smallest country by total area, measuring about 0.49 square kilometres.
The independent city-state is completely surrounded by Rome, Italy. It was established by the Lateran Treaty, signed in 1929 between the Holy See and the Kingdom of Italy. The agreement resolved a long dispute over the territorial position of the papacy after the Papal States were absorbed into unified Italy in the nineteenth century.
Vatican City is the headquarters of the Holy See and the residence of the pope. Its territory includes St Peter’s Square, St Peter’s Basilica, the Apostolic Palace, and the Vatican Museums. The Holy See and Vatican City are related but not identical: the Holy See is the governing entity of the Catholic Church, while Vatican City is its territorial base.
Although tiny in area, the city-state has global religious, diplomatic, artistic, and historical importance. Its museums contain major works of European art, including Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling.