VATICAN CITY By:

Vatican City Vatican City is located in southern Europe and is a landlocked sovereign city-state located within the city of Rome, Italy. ▫It is the smallest independent country in the world both by size and population. Pope Benedict XVI is the leader. The 2012 population is 836.

Several languages are spoken in Vatican City including: ▫Italian ▫Latin ▫French The official currency is the Euro and the Vatican mints their own. Vatican City

The flag of Vatican City has two vertical halves - the left side is yellow and the right side is white. In the middle of the white half is the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter. The yellow and white usually represent the metals, gold and silver, which are not placed side by side. Special exception is made in here because gold and silver also represent the keys of Saint Peter. The flag of Vatican City was introduced in 1825, but wasn't adopted until June 8, 1929, just after it gained independence from Italy on February 11, Vatican City Flag

Vatican City is the center of the Roman Catholic Church and the culture reflects catholic traditions. No secular holidays are celebrated, only Christmas and Easter along with other major holy and feast days. The clergy members were attire appropriate for their rank: ▫Pope Benedict wears white robes ▫Cardinals wear red Lay workers and visitors must wear modest attire: ▫Men are supposed to be dressed in shirts with sleeves covering the shoulders and full pants. In case of papal audience, the men can be dressed in black or dark suit. ▫Women are supposed to wear a black skirt or dress that reaches the knees. The sleeves of the top should be mid to long sleeves, no pants, simple jewelry, dark closed toe shoes. Vatican City Culture & Traditions

Italian food is served in Vatican City as well as the Pope’s favorite dishes. ▫Bavarian potato ravioli with pancake strips ▫Mozzarella cheese made from buffalo milk The City and Pope are protected by Swiss Guards dressed in medieval uniforms. Vatican City Culture & Traditions

St. Peter’s Basilica ▫Largest church in the world and is built over the tomb of St. Peter. ▫The church was completed in 1626 and famous Italian artists helped create the basilica, including:  Bramante  Raphael  Peruzzi  Antonio Sangallo the Younger  Michelangelo Sistine Chapel ▫Famous for its beautiful ceiling that took four year for Michelangelo to paint. ▫The breathtaking side walls were painted by famous Italian artists and show episodes from the life of Christ and Moses. Vatican City Sites

Castel Sant'Angelo ▫Located between the Tiber River and the Vatican, this “castle” was built as a tomb for emperor Hadrian in the second century. ▫This landmark castle is connected to St. Peter’s Basilica and is now a museum. Vatican Gardens ▫These beautiful gardens can be found behind St. Peter’s Basilica on Vatican Hill. ▫The 40 acre gardens include:  A formal Italian garden  A flowering French garden  A romantic English landscape  A small forest  A Vatican railroad station which is now a museum of coins and stamps Vatican City Sites

Did you know that Pope Benedict XVI: ▫Enjoys classical music and listens to Mozart and Bach every day ▫Still has his stuffed animals from his childhood ▫Loves cats and has two of his own ▫Speaks six languages ▫Was a U.S. prisoner of War in World War II Did you know that Vatican City: ▫Is less than 100 years old – it was established in ▫The only country you can not be a born citizen; you can only be made a citizen by appointment to work in the city-state ▫Is home to the only Latin ATM machines in the world Vatican City Fun Facts