Vatican City

[[File:Flag of the Vatican City.svg|right|thumb|165px|The flag of the Vatican City.]]
{{christianity}}

{{cquote|The Vatican is the last real absolute [[theocracy]] in the world and it is very difficult to know why we [the [[UK]]] are, as a government, consulting them on internal policy.|||Terry Sanderson, president of the UK [[National Secular Society]]<ref>[http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/298236/20120214/baroness-warsi-secularism-faith-vatican.htm?utm_source=google&utm_medium=editorsfeed&utm_content=Baroness%20Warsi%20%27Risks%20Culture%20War%27%20over%20Militant%20Secularism&utm_campaign=Array 'Culture War' over Militant Secularism]</ref>}}

The '''Vatican''', officially called the '''Vatican City State''' (Italian: ''Stato della Città del Vaticano'', Latin: ''Status Civitatis Vaticanae''), is a tourist attraction consisting of a quarter of the Italian city Rome that pretends to be its own sovereign state.  If their claims are accepted, it is the world's smallest sovereign [[state]] both in territory and in population, measuring 1.05 kilometers (0.6 mi) long and 0.85 kilometers (0.5 mi) wide, and holding a permanent population of roughly 1,000 people.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/holy-see-vatican-city/ Holy See (Vatican City)]. CIA World Factbook.</ref> Its tourist population tends to be much higher. The Vatican is the center of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] and is currently the world's only [[Christian]] [[theocracy]].<ref>[https://study.com/academy/answer/is-vatican-city-a-theocracy.html Is Vatican City a theocracy?] ''Study.com''</ref> It's also one of six [[Monarchy| absolute monarchies]] and the only elected one. [[Latin]] is the official [[language]]. ''Nota bene''. 

While "the Vatican" refers to the [[secular]] holdings of the Pope, the Pope's church jurisdiction is known as the '''Holy See''' (Latin: ''Sancta Sedes''), or the '''See of Rome'''. These terms shouldn't be used interchangeably, despite the Pope heading up both entities, because the Holy See is the name for the entire central administration of the Catholic Church and is considered ([[Conspiracy theory|by those in the know]]) to be unconstrained by geography.<ref>[https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-the-difference-between-vatican-city-and-the-holy-see.html What Is The Difference Between The Vatican City And The Holy See?] ''World Atlas.''</ref> While the Vatican City is a country, the Holy See conducts foreign relations on its behalf. The Holy See is also an observer at the [[United Nations]],<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/members/nonmembers.shtml Non-member States and Entities], UN</ref> where it tends to use its power to obstruct agendas related to global health (meaning "stuff related to [[abortion]]").<ref>[http://www.alternet.org/world/will-pope-francis-end-vaticans-obstructive-role-un Will Pope Francis End Vatican's Obstructive Role at U.N.?]</ref>

During and after the [[Middle Ages]], the Pope was a powerful sovereign ruler of a secular domain, directly controlling a region of central Italy called the '''Papal States'''.<ref>[https://www.thoughtco.com/the-papal-states-1789449 The Origin and Decline of the Papal States]. ''ThoughtCo.''</ref> This period saw the papacy hold massive amounts of wealth (extracted via church taxes from the various realms of western [[Europe]]), which grandiose Bishops of Rome spent to fund extravagant architectural and artistic ventures around and about their palaces in the Vatican. The Church's heyday eventually ended, though, and after [[Napoleon Bonaparte | Napoleon]]'s efforts to simplify the political map, Italian [[nationalism]] dreamed up the demand for a united Italian peninsula. To this end, in 1870, the Kingdom of Italy invaded the Papal States and annexed the city of Rome. While Italy didn't do anything to interfere with the Pope's affairs inside the Vatican compound, the Pope and his successors refused to accept the destruction of their so-called "temporal power" and used every means at their disposal to undermine the Italian state.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/place/Papal-States#ref284195 Papal States] ''Britannica''</ref> They described themselves as "prisoners in the Vatican".<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=y_4eaFsFdI4C&pg=PT155#v=onepage&q&f=false] David I. Kertzer, ''Prisoner of the Vatican'' (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2006 ISBN 978-0-54734716-5</ref> This standoff, called the "Roman Question", was only resolved in 1929 when the [[fascist]] dictator [[Benito Mussolini]] negotiated the Lateran Treaty, granting full independence to the Vatican City and giving the Church certain influence in Italy's government.<ref>{{wpa|Lateran Treaty|}}</ref> 

The Vatican City attracts many [[pilgrimage|
pilgrims
]] tourists due to its rich cultural, historical, and artistic heritage. Notable attractions include religious and cultural sites such as St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums.

==Government and politics==
[[File:Lazio Roma SGiovanni2 tango7174.jpg|thumb|right|275px|The papal throne in the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran.]]
===Holy See===
====Structure====
The Holy See is the government of the Catholic Church, and as such, its authority technically extends to wherever there are Catholics. "Holy See" comes from the Latin term ''Sancta Sedes'', which means "Holy Chair."<ref>[https://catholicstraightanswers.com/what-does-the-term-holy-see-mean/ What does the term “holy see” mean?] ''Catholic Straight Answers.''</ref> Technically, the Holy See is just the Pope, as the Pope wields absolute authority over the Church. In practice, though, that power must be wielded through the Roman Curia, a complex array of bureaus that executes the will of the Holy Father.

Notable bureaus of the Curia include:
*The Secretariat of State, headed by a Cardinal, is responsible for political and diplomatic affairs.<ref>{{wpa|Secretariat of State (Holy See)|}}</ref>
*The Secretariat for the Economy holds authority over the Holy See's finances and revenues.<ref>{{wpa|Secretariat for the Economy|}}</ref> 
*The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith promulgates and intellectually defends Catholic doctrine.<ref>{{wpa|Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith|}}</ref> It is the successor to the Roman Inquisition. In centuries past, it was aggressive in imposing theological purity on the members of the Church, ordering dissidents into silence and reviewing all church publications for potential [[censorship]].<ref>[https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/faith-and-justice/vaticans-doctrinal-congregation-isnt-so-supreme-anymore Vatican's doctrinal congregation isn't so supreme anymore]. ''National Catholic Reporter.''</ref>
*The Congregation for the Oriental Churches manages relations with the eastern Christian churches like the [[Eastern Orthodox]] branches and the Maronites of [[Lebanon]].<ref>{{wpa|Congregation for the Oriental Churches|}}</ref>
*The Congregation for the Causes of Saints oversees the process of canonizing people into sainthood.<ref>{{wpa|Congregation for the Causes of Saints|}}</ref> 
*The Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples manages the Church's missionary efforts and helps organize local clergy.<ref>[https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2019/12/08/pope-francis-appoints-cardinal-tagle-head-congregation-evangelization-peoples Pope Francis appoints Cardinal Tagle to head Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples]. ''Jesuit Review.''</ref> It also gets to select bishop candidates, making it even more powerful.
*The Congregation for the Clergy is responsible for the formation, ministry, and life of priests and deacons.<ref>[https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-reconfirms-clergy-congregation-members-appoints-us-born-prelate Pope reconfirms clergy congregation members, appoints U.S.-born prelate]. ''National Catholic Reporter.''</ref>
*The Congregation for Catholic Education oversees ecclesiastical universities and schools.<ref>{{wpa|Congregation for Catholic Education|}}</ref> 
*The Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Penitentiary can absolve excommunications and issue indulgences.<ref>{{wpa|Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Penitentiary|}}</ref>

====International standing====
The Holy See isn't a state by any standards, but it is recognized by almost the entire world as having international standing and being subject to international laws. It is either a permanent observer state in the United Nations, the Organization of American States, the Arab League, and the African Union.<ref name="inths">[https://www.e-ir.info/2013/09/24/the-nature-and-role-of-the-catholic-church-and-the-holy-see-in-the-international-order/ The Nature and Role of the Catholic Church and the Holy See in the International Order]. ''E-International Relations.''</ref> It also participated in the discussions that formed the International Criminal Court and signed on to the Geneva Conventions.

While the Holy See has many international relations, most of its embassies are located in the city of Rome due to limited space. The [[United States]] embassy to the Holy See, for instance, is located in the same building as its embassy to Italy.<ref>[https://va.usembassy.gov/embassy/holy-see/ U.S. Embassy to the Holy See]. US State Department.</ref> Perhaps its most fraught relationship is with the People's Republic of [[China]], as the Holy See recognizes [[Taiwan]] as China's legitimate government and thus has no official relationship with the People's Republic.<ref>[https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/analysis-the-vatican-and-china-part-iii-taiwan-87202 Analysis: The Vatican and China Part III, Taiwan]. ''Catholic News Agency.''</ref> That being said, there are still diplomatic arrangements to be struck between them since the Holy See is concerned about the fate of China's underground Catholic population.

====Swiss Guard====
[[File:Swiss guard swearing in.jpg|thumb|right|275px|Swiss Guard oath ceremony.]]
Administered by the Holy See, the Pontifical Swiss Guard acts as the ceremonial and actual bodyguards of the Pope. They also protect the Vatican City, acting as its unofficial military force. Recruits must be unmarried Roman Catholic men with citizenship in [[Switzerland]], between 19 and 30 years of age, and at least 5 feet 8 inches tall.<ref name="sguard">[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Swiss-Guards Swiss Guards]. ''Britannica.''</ref> They also need a professional diploma or high school degree and to have completed basic training in the Swiss military. They wear distinctive [[Renaissance]]-inspired uniforms during ceremonies, but make no mistake, they're also trained and armed with modern weapons and counter-[[terrorism]] tactics.<ref name="sguard"/> They got a lot more serious after the attempted assassination of [[John Paul II]].

The Swiss Guard dates back to 1506 when Swiss [[mercenary|mercenaries]] were renowned as the best in Europe. They ensured their eternal reputation as self-sacrificing and tough soldiers in 1527, when 189 Swiss Guards stood against thousands of rogue mercenaries attacking Rome, being horribly slaughtered but saving the life of Pope Clement VII.<ref>[https://www.warhistoryonline.com/history/3-extremely-heroic-last-stands-military-history-youve-never-heard-off.html 3 Extremely Heroic Last Stands in Military History You’ve Never Heard Of]. ''War History Online.''</ref>

====Homosexual and other 'lobbies'====
{{cquote|The problem is lobbying for this [homosexual] orientation, or lobbies of greed, political lobbies, Masonic lobbies, so many lobbies. This is the most serious problem for me.||| ([[Pope Francis]] speaking in 2013)<ref>[http://cnsnews.com/news/article/pope-francis-masonic-lobbies-most-serious-problem-me Pope Francis: ‘Masonic Lobbies … This Is The Most Serious Problem for Me’]</ref>}}
A [[Freemason|Masonic]] lobby or a [[homosexual|gay]] lobby is more accurately termed a secret society as that is how [[Italian]]s use the word lobby.<ref>[http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2013/07/30/most-of-us-would-laugh-at-the-idea-of-a-masonic-mafia-at-work-in-the-vatican-im-not-sure-that-we-should/ Most of us would laugh at the idea of a masonic mafia at work in the Vatican.]</ref> In Italy, the gay lobby means an informal network of gays and others. They help each other get promotions and, for example, threaten to expose the secrets of any member who steps out of line. The lobby may not promote gay interests and may even prefer the status quo with its need for secrecy. Not all members of the gay lobby are even gay. Some have corrupt links with gays without being gay themselves.<ref>[http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2016/01/15/decoding-what-it-means-to-say-the-vatican-has-a-gay-lobby/ Decoding what it means to say the Vatican has a ‘gay lobby’]</ref>

===Vatican City===
[[File:Palace of the Governorate. Vatican City State..jpg|thumb|right|250px|Palace of the Governate, seat of the Pontifical Commission.]]
====Government====
Along with his responsibilities as the Holy See, the Pope is also the head of state and government for the Vatican City. In practice, though, he delegates almost all of these responsibilities to the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican State. This council, composed of cardinals the Pope appoints, votes on and passes laws concerning the Vatican City.<ref name="vatgov">[https://vatican.com/The-Vaticans-government/ The Vatican's government]. ''Vatican.com''</ref> The Pope or the Pope's Secretary of State must approve these laws. 

The Vatican City also has a president who is the council's leader and holds most of the day-to-day responsibilities of managing the Vatican City.<ref name="vatgov"/> His administration, called the Governate, consists of various bureaus and offices appointed by the Pope. The Governate runs a police force, which guards the Vatican borders and does other police tasks.<ref>{{wpa|Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City|}}</ref> 

Under his official title as ''Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City,'' the Pope is considered Europe's last absolute monarch. His powers within the Vatican City are basically unlimited but, in practice, are constrained by church traditions and the tiny population of the Vatican City. It's not so great to be 'da king.

====People====
[[File:Francis Inauguration fc04.jpg|thumb|right|265px|Procession during the inauguration of Pope Francis.]]
The Vatican has the world's smallest population, making for some interesting demographic statistics. For instance, did you know that Vatican City has the world's highest wine consumption per capita, averaging 74 liters per year?<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/shortcuts/2014/feb/25/why-does-the-vatican-drink-so-much-wine Why does the Vatican drink so much wine?] ''The Guardian.''</ref> Disappointingly, this isn't for the potentially amusing reason that the clergy is getting smashed every night. It's actually because of ceremonial communion wine drinking. The Vatican City also has a citizen gender ratio that is very skewed in favor of men. If one cares to calculate the "Popes per km<sup>2</sup>" statistic, you come up with the amusing total of "technically greater than two" since the Vatican City is less than half a square kilometer in area.<ref>Miller, Anne; Mitchinson, John (14 March 2013). "QI: some quite interesting facts about Popes". ''The Daily Telegraph''. ISSN 0307-1235.</ref> [[Wikipedia]] also notes that the Vatican has a fairly well-developed transportation infrastructure, but that said infrastructure is almost entirely walkways and hallways.<ref>{{wpa|Transport in Vatican City|}}</ref> 

The Vatican has no birthright citizenship whatsoever, with citizenship only being conferred by appointment to a job within the city.<ref>[https://vatican.com/The-Vaticans-Population/ The Population of the Vatican]. ''Vatican.com''</ref> Citizenship is also extended to immediate family members of these people. Most Vatican citizens tend to be either clergy or Swiss Guards. Journalist Magdalena Wolińska-Riedi married a Swiss Guard and lived with him as a fellow citizen in the city, gaining the very unique nationality of "Polish-Vatican".<ref>{{wpa|Magdalena Wolińska-Riedi|}}</ref> She is one of the very few women to hold Vatican citizenship. 

These citizenship standards make Vatican City very multicultural, being a city-state run by a guy from [[Argentina]] that holds people from all over Europe and the world, especially from Switzerland.<ref>[https://www.vaticancitytours.it/blog/how-many-people-live-in-vatican-city/ How many people live in Vatican City?] ''Sightseeing Tours Italy.''</ref> Vatican citizens can be issued the very rare Vatican passport.<ref>{{wpa|Vatican and Holy See passports|}}</ref>

====International relations====
For the most part, Vatican City has no international relations. Foreign policy is conducted through the Holy See, meaning that Vatican City doesn't do much internationally. The Vatican doesn't even host embassies, as the embassies of the Holy See are placed in Rome. 

The Vatican City is determinedly neutral, with its defense being provided for by the Holy See's Swiss Guard and presumably by the armed forces of Italy. The Vatican has listed its entirety in the International Register of Cultural Property under Special Protection, meaning that launching an armed attack anywhere in the Vatican City would be a [[war crime]].<ref>Duursma, Jorri C. (1996). Fragmentation and the International Relations of Micro-states: Self-determination and Statehood. Cambridge University Press. p. 396. ISBN 9780521563604.</ref> As with all war crimes, though, how much that matters depends on the strength of the belligerent. 

[[File:Crowds in St. Peter's Square.jpg|thumb|right|265px|St. Peter's Square, like Disneyland for pickpockets.]]

They do hold membership in a handful of international organizations by necessity. These include the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations
(gotta keep the phones up), the Eutelsat (gotta keep the [[internet]] on), and the Universal Postal Union (gotta keep the mail coming).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100710054455/https://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/Internationalrelations/Participation_with_international_Organizations.htm Participation in International Organizations]. Archived.</ref> The Vatican is also a member of Interpol.<ref>[https://www.interpol.int/en/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Europe/VATICAN-CITY-STATE Vatican City State]. Interpol.</ref>

====Crime====
Due to the number of tourists visiting the Vatican and its small permanent population of 800 or so, its crime rate has the bizarre attribute of being 133% of its population.<ref>{{wpa|Vatican City#Crime}}</ref> The crime there tends to be minor tourist-targeting shit like pickpocketing, purse-snatching, or even shoplifting from the Vatican's stores<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2639777.stm Vatican crime rate 'soars']. ''BBC News.''</ref> (that'll land you in [[Hell]]). The density of tourists means that the Vatican has sky-high crime rates compared to neighboring Italy and the rest of Europe. 

Criminal punishment is awkward for the Vatican City. It doesn't have jury trials since there's no fair way to do that in a country with such a tiny population.<ref name="crimpro">[https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2012/05/paolo-gabriele-case-how-does-the-vatican-deal-with-criminals.html How Does Vatican City Deal With Criminals?] ''Slate.''</ref> Criminals get sentences handed down by judges after a trial, usually based on Italian criminal codes (when those aren't too [[liberal]]). The accused have the right to a public defender.<ref name="crimpro"/> The Vatican has a small jail, but it's mainly used as storage space and only holds people in pre-trial detention.<ref name="crimpro"/> Instead, anyone sentenced to prison is sent to an Italian prison, where their living costs are paid for by the Vatican as a courtesy.<ref name="crimpro"/>

==Economy==
[[File:Istituto per le Opere di Religione logo.svg|thumb|right|300px|Logo of the Vatican 
mafia
 Bank.]]
===The Vatican Bank===
The Vatican is shockingly non-transparent when it comes to its finances. Its assets are held under the Institute for the Works of Religion title, commonly known as the "Vatican Bank", which was established by a papal decree of Pope Pius XII in June 1942.<ref>{{wpa|Institute for the Works of Religion|}}</ref> The institution aims to funnel the Vatican's cash into the wider Church's religious and charitable efforts. 

Unfortunately, since its inception, the Vatican Bank has been a hotbed of corruption, with numerous resignations, scandals, and even investigations launched by the Italian government.<ref name="cnnmo">[https://money.cnn.com/2013/07/12/news/world/vatican-bank-scandal/index.html?iid=EL Vatican may widen bank corruption probe]. ''CNN.''</ref> Perhaps the most significant beneficiaries are ultrarich Italian politicians and business people who like to use the Vatican Bank as a [[tax]] evasion scheme for stashing cash. However, only Vatican residents are supposed to have accounts.<ref>[https://money.cnn.com/2015/09/24/news/pope-francis-visit-vatican-catholic-church/index.html Vatican Inc.: 5 facts about the business of the Catholic Church]. ''CNN Money.''</ref> Perhaps only to be expected from an institution run by politically-connected but otherwise unqualified clergy. The worst Vatican scandal came in the 1980s when mafia kingpin Michele Sindona used the Vatican Bank to launder money and dodge taxes.<ref>[https://www.americamagazine.org/issue/culture/follow-money Follow the Money]. ''America Magazine.''</ref> When Sindona went down, so did $56 million from the Vatican. The bank was also involved in the collapse of Franklin National Bank in 1974 and then lost hundreds of millions of dollars in the fraudulent bankruptcy of Banco Ambrosiano.<ref>[https://www.occrp.org/en/daily/10465-with-new-rules-pope-aims-to-reform-scandal-ridden-vatican-bank With New Rules, Pope Aims to Reform Scandal-Ridden Vatican Bank]. ''Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project.''</ref> The bank has only recently started cleaning up its act, with repeated corruption probes launched by [[Pope Benedict XVI]] and [[Pope Francis]]. 

===Assets and revenue===
[[File:Vatican ATM in Latin.jpg|thumb|right|285px|Vatican ATM with instructions in [[Latin]]. They also made the grave sin of using [[Comic Sans]] for its interface.]]
Apart from that tangled web of intrigue, the Vatican's assets are generally unknown but certainly ample. In 1965, bankers estimated the Vatican's assets to be between $10 billion and $15 billion based on the fact that the Vatican held Italian stockholdings worth $1.6 billion, some 15% of the Italian market.<ref>[http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,833509,00.html Roman Catholics: The Vatican's Wealth]. ''TIME Magazine.''</ref> The weird part is that the "Vatican" is two separate entities managing and making revenue. The Holy See, referring to the Church's central administration, makes revenue separately from the Vatican City, which refers to the actual country sitting within Rome. It's a confusing arrangement, which is part of why some weird shit goes down there.

The Holy See generates revenue through the Peter’s Pence, the 8th-century term for donations from faithful Catholics worldwide.<ref name="invest">[https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/030613/secret-finances-vatican-economy.asp The Secret Finances of the Vatican Economy]. ''Investopedia.''</ref> The Holy See also uses its wealth to invest in stocks and bonds, hoping to further develop its assets. Too bad for them, though, that it tends to run a huge deficit. In 2018, the Holy See reported a budget deficit of €70 million, raising some fears of a default.<ref>[https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/with-major-deficits-projected-vatican-says-holy-see-not-at-risk-of-default-60364 With major deficits projected, Vatican says Holy See not at risk of default]. ''Catholic News Agency.''</ref> The root of this loss is the sheer burden of running the massive Catholic Church, which tends not to be offset even by reaching into the Vatican Bank's coffers.<ref name="cnnmo"/>

The Vatican City, meanwhile, is much more profitable. In 2014, it reported a surplus of €63.5 million, thanks mainly to tourism and other ventures related to its assets.<ref name="cnnmo"/> The Vatican infamously rented out the Sistine Chapel to Porsche to hold a private charity party in 2014, making a tidy sum.<ref>[https://money.cnn.com/2014/10/20/news/companies/porsche-sistine-chapel/?iid=EL Porsche rents Sistine Chapel for Pope's charity]. ''CNN Business.''</ref> The Vatican City also supports itself by selling books, stamps, coins, medals, and tourist souvenirs and charging fees for admission to museums and cultural sites.<ref>{{wpa|Economy of Vatican City|}}</ref> The Vatican City's Eurozone arrangement allows it to issue limited numbers of its own euro coins, naturally in high demand from collectors.<ref>{{wpa|Vatican euro coins|}}</ref>

==Landmarks and holy sites==
[[File:Petersdom von Engelsburg gesehen.jpg|thumb|right|275px|Dome of St. Peter's.]]
===St. Peter's Basilica===
The centerpiece of the Vatican City, St. Peter's Basilica, in its current form, was commissioned in 1506 and then constructed over decades by various Italian architects. The Renaissance-era building was costly and continues to serve as a monument to the luxury and wealth of the Church.<ref>[https://www.rome-museum.com/st-peters-basilica.php St. Peter's Basilica]. ''Rome Museum.''</ref> Despite its importance, the basilica isn't the heart of the Vatican. It is neither the seat of the Pope nor is it even a cathedral.<ref>[https://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/art-culture/st-peters-basilica-facts 6 Surprising Facts About St. Peter’s Basilica]. ''Walks of Italy.''</ref> It's basically there to look nice and hold other cool locations and objects. Oh, and it also marks the alleged death site of the apostle [[St. Peter]], where he was [[torture]]d on an inverted cross. We're sure that's nice to think about.

The basilica also holds the ''Pietà'', one of Michelangelo's most famous works, depicting the [[Virgin Mary]] mourning and cradling the body of her dead son.<ref>{{wpa|Pietà (Michelangelo)|}}</ref> 

As you might expect from the Catholic Church, the basilica has a strict dress code. Shorts, above-the-knee skirts, or bare shoulders are not allowed in.<ref>[https://www.frommers.com/destinations/rome/attractions/st-peters-basilica St. Peter’s Basilica]. ''Frommer's''.</ref> Hats also need to be off because the Church is run by your stubbornly old-fashioned professor.

====Chair of St. Peter====
[[File:Vaticano sightseeing fc26.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Altar of the Chair of St. Peter.]]
One of the centerpieces of the basilica interior is a massive [[relic]] purported to be Peter's original seat in his role as the first bishop of Rome.<ref>{{wpa|Chair of Saint Peter|}}</ref> It currently sits on an opulent altar for visitors to gaze at, although popes used to sit on it in the past. Pieces of the chair were cut away for other relics, and the rest has been sealed under various layers of ornamentation.<ref>[https://www.ncregister.com/blog/9-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-chair-of-st-peter 9 things you need to know about the "Chair of St. Peter"]. ''National Catholic Register.''</ref> The wood that remains is heavily decayed.

The relic is subject to much celebration by the Catholic Church due to its representation of the Pope's authority. The annual Feast of the Chair of Peter is traditionally celebrated on 18 January.<ref>[https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03551e.htm Chair of Peter]. ''New Advent.''</ref> Pope Benedict XVI described the chair as "a symbol of the special mission of Peter and his Successors to tend Christ’s flock, keeping it united in faith and in charity."<ref>{{wpa|Chair of Saint Peter|}}</ref>

On the altar of the relic, its importance is further highlighted with a gilded depiction of St. Peter receiving the keys to the Church from Jesus.<ref>[https://blogs.cuit.columbia.edu/deb2170/the-apse-of-st-peters-basilica/ The Apse of St. Peter's Basilica.]</ref> In total, the whole area serves as the Catholic Church's grandiose monument to itself.

====Vatican Necropolis====
[[File:Tomb of pope Johannes Paulus I.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Tomb of John Paul I in the grottoes.]]
Beneath the basilica is a vast graveyard that dates back to the [[Roman Empire]], allegedly containing the remains of the family of Julius Caesar.<ref name="vnecr">[https://vatican.com/Vatican-Necropolis/ Vatican Necropolis]. ''Vatican.com''</ref> Excavations there have been going on since the 1940s, sponsored by the Vatican. Alongside the space's historical significance, the Church considers it one of the holiest places in the world because this is where St. Peter was supposed to have been tortured to death and then buried.<ref name="vnecr"/> Again, real pleasant story.

====Vatican Grottoes====
Separate from the Necropolis, the Vatican Grottoes is yet another vast underground graveyard below St. Peter’s Basilica. A lot of dead people here, we tell ya. It holds the remains of numerous notable Catholics, including 91 popes, a fistful of cardinals, Queen Christina of [[Sweden]], some of the Stuarts of [[England]]/[[Scotland]], and other secular rulers.<ref>[https://vatican.com/Vatican-Grottoes/ Vatican Grottoes]. ''Vatican.com''</ref> John Paul II also had a tomb there until he was beatified and moved onto the main floor of St. Peter's. The Grottoes is a very popular site for tourists who value the space for its religious or historical significance.

===St. Peter's Square===
In front of the basilica is the keyhole-shaped plaza where tourists and faithful Catholics tend to gather. It's framed by a large colonnade artistically designed to draw the viewer's eye towards the basilica's great dome. Its architecture was inspired and influenced by the Counter-Reformation, as the colonnade is meant to represent the Church's spread arms welcoming people back from the [[Protestant Reformation]].<ref name="basqu">[https://www.vaticancitytours.it/attractions/st-peters-square/ St. Peter's Square, Vatican City].</ref> The colonnade also holds 140 statues of saints.

At the center stands the Vatican Obelisk, originally looted from [[Ancient Egypt]] by Roman Emperor Caligula in 37 CE.<ref>[https://archaeology-travel.com/street/vatican-obelisk-in-st-peters-square/ Amidst The Crowds In St Peter’s Square, Stands Ancient Egypt]. ''Archaeology Travel.''</ref> It remained in Rome until 1585 when Pope Sixtus V decided to have it moved to St. Peter's Square because he needed something to tie the space together.

Large public events held by the Holy See are usually performed in front of the square since it's the largest gathering area they have. It's not unusual for events like canonization to be attended by millions of people.<ref>[https://selectitaly.com/blog/rome/5-tips-stpeter-square/ 5 Tips For Major Events In St Peter’s Square]. ''Select Italy.''</ref> The Pope will also typically hold weekly events in the square for admiring tourists. Unless it's raining, in which case he does his thing inside the basilica.<ref>[https://www.romewise.com/see-the-pope-in-rome.html How to See the Pope in Rome]. ''Rome Wise.''</ref> Can't have the Holy Father getting wet. 

[[File:Vatican StPeter Square.jpg|thumb|center|700px|Panorama of St. Peter's Square.]]

===Apostolic Palace===
[[File:Palais apostolique et aile de Constantin.JPG|thumb|right|325px|The Palace viewed from St. Peter's Square.]]
{{cquote|Since God has given us the papacy, let us enjoy it.|||Pope Leo X (1475-1521).<ref name="pbath">[https://www.maryjogibson.com/the-secret-vatican-bathroom-stufetta-del-bibbiena/ The Secret Vatican Bathroom- Stufetta del Bibbiena]. Mary Jo Gibson.</ref>}}
The Apostolic Palace is the official residence of the Pope, featuring its own array of historical art and artifacts. It is located to the side of St. Peter's Basilica, and part of the Palace now belongs to the Vatican Museums due to the amount of cool shit in there. 

====Papal apartments====
The papal apartments are an incredibly luxurious suite of rooms to keep popes living in comfort. It contains more than a dozen rooms, including staff quarters, a terrace, and extensive views over the city of Rome.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-21949118 Pope Francis shuns grand apartment for two rooms]. ''BBC News.''</ref> Ascetical theology? What's that?

The current Pope, Francis, decided that the apartments were just too much for his austere lifestyle and instead chose to remain in the Vatican City's much more modest guest rooms.<ref>[https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-francis-live-vatican-guesthouse-not-papal-apartments Pope Francis to live in Vatican guesthouse, not papal apartments]. ''National Catholic Review.''</ref> However, he still uses the apartment window to address the public in St. Peter's Square on certain occasions.

====Borgia rooms====
[[File:Borgia Apartments.jpeg|thumb|right|265px|A room in the Borgia apartments.]]
Steeped in scandal, the Borgia dynasty represents one of the most infamous chapters of Vatican history for their great control over the papal elections and alleged corruption and sexual immorality.<ref>[https://www.historytoday.com/history-matters/were-borgias-really-so-bad Were the Borgias Really so Bad?] ''History Today.''</ref> While their nasty reputation has since been disputed by some historians, there's no doubt that their successors hated them. 

Still, the Borgias are notable for their great sponsorship of the arts during the Renaissance. Rodrigo Borgia, also known as Pope Alessandro VI, decided to make his mark on the Apostolic Palace by commissioning the painter Pinturicchio to decorate a new set of papal apartments in 1492.<ref name="borg">[https://theromanguy.com/italy-travel-blog/guide-to-the-borgia-apartments-in-the-vatican/ Guide To The Borgia Apartments In The Vatican]. ''The Roman Guy.''</ref> The frescoes he painted covered a variety of subjects, but most of them ultimately worked around to exalt the Borgia family and the Pope himself.<ref name="borg"/> Interestingly, a recently uncovered fresco in the Borgia rooms seems to be the earliest known European depiction of [[Native Americans]], having been painted just two years after the voyage of [[Christopher Columbus]].<ref>[https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/05/05/180860991/long-hidden-vatican-painting-linked-to-native-americans Long Hidden, Vatican Painting Linked To Native Americans]. ''NPR.''</ref> This makes perfect sense, though, since the Borgia family was from [[Spain]]. 

A lot of bad shit went down in the Borgia rooms during the bloody history of the early modern papacy. The second husband of Lucrezia Borgia, Alfonso of Aragon, was murdered in the rooms.<ref name="mjborg">[http://www.maryjogibson.com/the-secret-borgia-apartments/ The Secret Borgia Apartments]. Mary Jo Gibson.</ref> One of the Borgia popes also died horribly in the rooms while wars and schemes were plotted there.<ref name="mjborg"/> After the downfall of the Borgias, the apartments were eventually sealed up by future popes.

====Raphael rooms====
[[File:Raffael Stanza della Segnatura.jpg|thumb|right|275px|One of the Raphael rooms. ''The School of Athens'' is on the right.]]
Containing some of the most essential pieces from the Italian Renaissance, the Raphael Rooms are a series of reception areas in the Palace that were painted by the aforementioned Italian prodigy. They have a fairly [[political]] history, as they were commissioned by Pope Julius II to serve as the new papal apartment rooms in the hopes of overshadowing the unpopular Borgia apartments on the lower floor.<ref>{{wpa|Raphael Rooms|}}</ref> One of the most famous frescoes is ''The School of Athens'', an instantly recognizable depiction of ancient history's most famous [[philosopher]]s like [[Plato]], [[Socrates]], and Euclid.<ref>{{wpa|The School of Athens|}}</ref> Seriously, you've almost certainly seen it somewhere in a [[book]] or on the [[internet]]. 

Each of the four rooms has a significant theme. The first is themed around the life of Roman Emperor Constantine, the second shows persecution against Christians in ancient times, the third shows the beginning of the Renaissance, and the fourth shows some political highlights of the papacy like the crowning of [[Charlemagne]].<ref>[https://www.museumsrome.com/en/our-blog-on-rome/the-raphael-s-rooms-in-the-vatican-museums The Raphael's Rooms in the Vatican Museums]. ''Italy Travels.''</ref> The fourth ended up being the favorite, as it resonated with the bloodthirsty and ambitious popes of the early modern era.

====The porn bathroom====
Speaking of Raphael, there's also a bathroom full of [[porn]] in the Pope's residence. A small room on the third floor of the Apostolic Palace, the infamous ''Stufetta del cardinal Bibbiena'', is a papal bathroom festooned with pornographic frescoes painted in 1516 by Raphael or someone inspired by him.<ref>{{wpa|Stufetta del cardinal Bibbiena|}}</ref> Most of the frescoes depict scenes from Roman mythology, which makes their scandalous nature make a lot more sense. 

Cardinal Bibbiena was a fan of the classical arts, and the bathroom frescoes recount scenes from the life of the goddess Venus which the cardinal would have enjoyed while lounging in his, get this, hot tub.<ref name="pbath"/> Understandably, future Catholic bigwigs weren't too impressed with the space. Over the following centuries, the bathroom was defaced, whitewashed, and even turned into a kitchen before being rediscovered in the 19th century.<ref>[https://slate.com/human-interest/2011/12/vatican-inside-the-secret-city-vatican-guide-the-pope-s-pornographic-bathroom.html Vatican guide: The pope’s pornographic bathroom]. ''Slate.''</ref> Even after that, access remains very restricted since the bathroom is now part of the Pope's private residence (and the Vatican still doesn't want people looking too closely at the porn).

====Sistine Chapel====
[[File:SixtinischeKapelle.jpg|thumb|right|315px|The Sistine Chapel's iconic ceiling and art.]]
Probably the most famous attraction in the entire damn Vatican is the Sistine Chapel, which had its interior decorated by various Renaissance painters, including Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Pinturicchio.<ref name="sisb">[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sistine-Chapel Sistine Chapel]. ''Britannica.''</ref> Its exterior looks like drab shit, but the interior contains the most important works of art from the Italian Renaissance. Most famous are the frescoes that adorn the ceiling, painted by Michelangelo from 1508 to 1512, a presumably uncomfortable task.<ref name="sisb"/> ''The Creation of Adam'', one of the frescoes on the ceiling, has two of perhaps the most famous depictions of the Christian God,<ref>{{wpa|The Creation of Adam|}}</ref><ref>{{wpa|The Creation of the Sun, Moon, and Plants|}}</ref> one of which features prominently in [[Rationalwiki]]'s article on [[God]]. Michelangelo had a hard time with his work, and he vented by inserting images of his critics into ''The Last Judgement'', which depicts [[sin]]ners being cast into [[Hell]].<ref name="sismick">[https://www.througheternity.com/en/blog/art/nudity-and-controversy-in-the-sistine-chapel.html# Nudity and Controversy in the Sistine Chapel]. ''Thought Eternity.''</ref> Nice one.

The Renaissance-era depictions of naked men didn't sit well with future popes, and Michelangelo's works were [[censorship|censored]] with underwear to soothe the delicate sensibilities of the time.<ref>[https://www.thegeographicalcure.com/post/underpants-in-the-sistine-chapel Underpants in the Sistine Chapel: Was Michelangelo's Last Judgment Fresco Too Risque?] ''The Geographical Cure.''</ref> The alterations largely remained during the restoration in the 1980s, as they are now considered a part of the building's history.<ref name="sismick"/> Some frescoes have also been subject to modern speculation, like the idea that God rides an intentionally-hidden human [[brain]] in ''The Creation of Adam''. 

Alongside its status as a vital tourist moneymaker for the Vatican, the Chapel also serves the Holy See by being the location where the College of Cardinals assembles to pick a new pope.<ref>[https://www.livescience.com/40802-sistine-chapel.html Sistine Chapel: Facts, History & Visitor Information]. ''Live Science.''</ref> The Chapel has a special chimney through which either white or black smoke is blasted to alert the public to the voting status.

<center><gallery widths=225px heights=225px>
File:The Creation of the Sun and the Moon, Michelangelo (1508-1512).jpg|''The Creation of the [[Sun]], [[Moon]], and Plants''
File:Creación de Adán.jpg|''The Creation of [[Adam]]''
File:Expulsion del paraíso.jpg|''The Fall and Expulsion from [[Garden of Eden|Paradise]]''
File:Deluge, Michelangelo.png|''[[Global flood|The Deluge]]''
</gallery></center>

===Vatican Museums===
[[File:Room XII (17th century) of the Pinacoteca Vaticana.jpg|thumb|right|275px|Tourists in the Pinacoteca Vaticana.]]
As a massively powerful and wealthy institution across [[Europe]], the Catholic Church has unsurprisingly amassed a vast collection of art and treasure. Many are now on display in the Vatican Museums, a building complex connected to the Apostolic Palace. Certain attractions within the Palace, including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms, are under the Museum's watch and are part of the visitor path. Collections include the Pinacoteca art gallery, Pio Clementino Museum of statuary, and the Gregorian Egyptian Museum.

The Vatican's main art collection, the Pinacoteca, used to be housed in the Borgia rooms before being moved into the museums. The collection boasts 460 paintings, including absolute masterpieces by prominent artists like Giotto, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, il Perugino, and Caravaggio.<ref name="mus7">[https://civitavecchia.portmobility.it/en/7-things-see-vatican-museums 7 unmissable reasons to visit the Vatican Museums]. ''Civitavecchia.''</ref> Much of the collection was "appropriated" by [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] under the Treaty of Tolentino (1797), but the pieces were eventually returned after the [[dictator]]'s downfall.<ref>[https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/la-pinacoteca/la-pinacoteca.html Pinacoteca]. Musei Vaticani.</ref>

The Pio Clementino Museum houses pieces dating back to the Roman Empire, perhaps most famously the Augustus of Prima Porta statue depicting Augustus Caesar commissioned in the 1st century CE.<ref>{{wpa|Augustus of Prima Porta|}}</ref> Augustus was the first emperor of Rome. Napoleon also seized this collection and hauled it off to Paris before eventually being returned. 

Finally, the Gregorian Egyptian Museum houses numerous artifacts from [[Ancient Egypt]] sourced through the Roman Empire's conquest of the region and the much later resurgence in European interest in Egyptology.<ref>[https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/museo-gregoriano-egizio/museo-gregoriano-egizio.html Gregorian Egyptian Museum]. Musei Vaticani.</ref> As an exhibition on Egyptology, the Vatican museum holds the mandatory display of fucked-up looking mummies. No collection on Egypt is complete without at least one. 

In short, the Vatican Museums have some cool shit.

===Vatican Library===
[[File:The Sistine Hall of the Vatican Library (2994335291).jpg|thumb|right|300px|Hall of the Vatican Library.]]
The Vatican Apostolic Library is one of the oldest libraries in the world, holding some 1.1 million printed works.<ref>{{wpa|Vatican Library|}}</ref> Unfortunately, it's only a research library, and visitors must have documented academic qualifications and research needs. Luckily, an ongoing project has been steadily digitizing the collection, meaning that much of it is now available online.<ref>[https://aleteia.org/2019/08/17/in-case-you-didnt-know-the-vatican-library-has-been-digitized-and-is-online/ The Vatican Library has been online for years, and you can access it here]. ''Aleteia.''</ref> Due to the sheer amount of material to process, the project will continue until at least 2041. 

The Vatican's collection was initially modest, but Pope Nicholas V greatly enlarged it by making off with the remaining collection from Constantinople after that city's conquest by the [[Ottoman Empire]] in 1453.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vatican-Apostolic-Library Vatican Apostolic Library]. ''Britannica.''</ref> Like the museums, the library is far more than a religious interest, as there are some priceless historical artifacts. Like apparently everything that wasn't nailed down in Rome, the Vatican Library was temporarily carted off to Paris by Napoleon Bonaparte before being returned. Can't have shit in 
Detroit
 Rome. 

====The Secret Archives that weren't====
Proponents of some unconventional ideas (e.g., that there is a [[Lemuria|lost continent formerly populated by lemurs]] or that [[Protochronism#The Vatican has secret documents proving Latin is descended from Romanian|Latin is derived from Romanian]]) claim that there is proof for their theories inside the Vatican Secret Archives, [[Conspiracy theory|which are being hidden by the Vatican]]. Such hypotheses are, however, undercut by the fact that the archives were opened up to scholars (though not the public) in 1881, with over a thousand researchers visiting them every year.<ref name=vatican>[http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2014/09/01/whats-hidden-in-the-vatican-archives/ What’s hidden in the Vatican Secret Archives?]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110506021633/http://asv.vatican.va/en/fond/ammiss.htm TABLE OF THE ADMITTANCES TO THE VATICAN SECRET ARCHIVES IN THE LAST YEARS]</ref> The word "Secret" is a mistranslation of the word ''secretum'', a more accurate rendering of which would be "personal" or "private", as it refers to the Popes' personal letters.<ref name=vatican/><ref>[http://www.slate.com/articles/life/welltraveled/features/2011/vatican_inside_the_secret_city/vatican_guide_the_wonders_inside_the_legendary_secret_archives.html The Secret City], Slate.</ref> Papal papers written after 1939 are withheld from scholars,<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/vaticancityandholysee/7772108/The-Vatican-opens-its-Secret-Archives-to-dispel-Dan-Brown-myths.html The Vatican opens its Secret Archives to dispel Dan Brown myths]</ref> but these documents are unlikely to have any relevance to the proposed unconventional theories.

In 2019, Pope Francis renamed the Vatican Secret Archives, terming them the "Vatican Apostolic Archives".<ref name="aposarc">[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-archives/secret-no-more-pope-renames-historic-vatican-archives-idUSKBN1X71NA 'Secret' no more: Pope renames historic Vatican archives]. ''Reuters.''</ref> Notable (and juicy) pieces in the archives include letters about King Henry VIII's requests to divorce Catherine of Aragon and the original acts of the 1633 trial of astronomer [[Galileo]] by the Roman Inquisition.<ref name="aposarc"/> In the same year, the Vatican also opened the records of Pope Pius XII (1939 – 1958), potentially promising to shed much light on his responses to and activities during [[World War II]] and the [[Holocaust]].<ref>[https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-03/holy-see-archives-pope-pius-xii-world-war-ii.html Vatican opens archives on Pope Pius XII]. ''Vatican News.''</ref> Pius' papacy and the general attitude of the Church during that period is, uh, controversial.

===Vatican Gardens===
Taking up more than two-thirds of the Vatican City, the Gardens exist to provide a nice little sanctuary to cheer up the Pope.<ref name="rwgard">[https://www.througheternity.com/en/blog/hidden-sights/vatican-gardens-guide.html# The Pope's Personal Garden of Eden]. ''Through Eternity Tours.''</ref> The gardens contain historic fountains, summer houses, the papal helipad, and a chunk of the [[Berlin Wall]].<ref name="rwgard"/> Unsurprisingly, there is also a shitload of images and statues of the Virgin Mary, some of which are considered holy sites by countries like [[France]] and [[Mexico]].<ref>{{wpa|Gardens of Vatican City|}}</ref> The Palace of the Governate, the seat of the Vatican City's administration, takes up some space just behind the basilica.

Those inclined to [[snark]] also refer to the gardens as "the Pope's Playground".<ref>[https://www.walksinsiderome.com/blog/about-the-vatican/about-the-vatican-top-10-things-to-know-about-the-vatican-gardens/ Top 10 Things To Know About the Vatican Gardens]. ''Walk Inside Rome.''</ref> On the plus side, much of the area is open to tourists and is usually not crowded. So maybe the gardens can be your playground too (as long as you keep your activities wholesome and Christian).

[[File:Gardens in the Vatican City (4).jpg|thumb|center|800px|Panorama of the Vatican Gardens.]]

===Domus Sanctae Marthae===
The Domus Sanctae Marthae, Latin for "St. Martha's House," is a fairly spartan guest hotel for clergy who visit the Vatican for official church business.<ref>{{wpa|Domus Sanctae Marthae|}}</ref> It was completed in 1996, and its construction was controversial with Roman citizens because it blocked some people's views of St. Peter's Basilica.<ref>Thavis, John (2013). ''The Vatican Diaries: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Power, Personalities and Politics at the Heart of the Catholic Church''. New York City: Viking. pp. 121–2. ISBN 978-0-670-02671-5.</ref> So that kinda sucks for them. This is where the College of Cardinals stays during their selection of the new Pope. Nowadays, though, it's mostly notable that the current pontiff, Pope Francis, shunned the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace and chose to live here instead.<ref>[https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/domus-sanctae-marthae Domus Sanctae Marthae]. ''Atlas Obscura.''</ref> The apartments are supposed to be comfortable, but not very nice.

===Vatican walls===
[[File:Vatican Museums 梵諦岡博物館 - panoramio (1).jpg|thumb|right|265px|"Pope Francis, tear down this wall!"]]
{{cquote|When they say the wall’s immoral, well then you got to do something about the Vatican, because the Vatican has the biggest wall of them all.|||[[Donald Trump]].<ref name="lsvwal">[https://www.livescience.com/64410-vatican-city-walls-explained.html Trump Calls Wall 'Moral' Because Vatican Has One. So What's Its History?] ''Live Science.''</ref> (The Vatican, it should be noted, does not have the "biggest wall of them all").<ref>[https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-border-walls-mexico-history-berlin-china-20190104-story.html Walls through history: 9 ranked by length]. ''The Morning Call.''</ref>}}
Built in response to a massive [[Muslim]] pirate attack in 846 CE,<ref>[https://bestlifeonline.com/vatican-walls/ Why Are There Walls Around the Vatican?] ''Best Life.''</ref> the Vatican Walls encircle most of the little country’s territory. Given the turbulent and bloody politics of the [[Middle Ages]], the walls weathered multiple great attacks, most notably the Sack of Rome in 1527. Rome was also a city steeped in political violence. After imminent threats receded, though, the Vatican opened itself up again. The walls stuck around mainly as a symbol of the pontifical power. They basically exist just to look cool.<ref name="lsvwal"/>

Despite the presence of the walls, the Vatican City is no fortress. Visitors can simply walk into St. Peter's Square with no passport required and only a white painted line showing that a border even exists.<ref>[https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/vatican-city-walls Vatican City Walls]. ''Atlas Obscura.''</ref> Three of the six gates through the Vatican walls are also open to the public.

The walls were sucked into a political controversy when Pope Francis made comments critical of Donald Trump's proposed [[Great Wall of America]], and [[conservatives]] promptly pounced on the Vatican walls as an example of [[hypocrisy]].<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2016/02/18/world/vatican-walls Is the Vatican really surrounded by walls?] ''CNN.''</ref> The more informed pointed out that the wall doesn't wrap around the entire city and that visitors can walk right in.

==Notable extraterritorial properties==
[[File:B. San Giovanni in Laterano - panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|275px|The true seat of the papacy.]]
Under the terms of the Lateran Treaty, the Holy See also owns a lot of shit throughout the city of Rome and elsewhere in Italy. Although on Italian soil, these properties have many immunities and privileges comparable to foreign embassies.<ref>{{wpa|Properties of the Holy See|}}</ref> 

===Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran===
Despite being outside of the Vatican City, the Archbasilica is perhaps the most crucial property of the Holy See. Given by Roman Emperor Constantine I to the Bishop of Rome, this building is the seat of the Diocese of Rome and is thus the true seat of the papacy.<ref name="jlat">[https://www.rome.net/basilica-st-john-lateran Basilica of St. John Lateran]. ''Rome.net''</ref> It is also known as the Basilica of St. Giovanni. The building's bronze doors originally belonged to the Curia Julia, better known as the Senate House of the Roman Empire.<ref name="jlat"/> During World War II, the archbasilica's clergy used their legal privileges to get away with sheltering [[Jews]].<ref>Marchione, Margherita. ''Yours Is a Precious Witness: Memoirs of Jews and Catholics in Wartime Italy'', Paulist Press, 2001 ISBN 9780809140329</ref><ref>[https://righteous.yadvashem.org/?searchType=righteous_only&language=en&itemId=4043709&ind=NaN Palazzini Pietro]. The Righteous Among the Nations Database. Yad Vashem.</ref> 

[[File:Scala Santa (Rome) 04.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Pilgrims on the stairs.]]

The northern entrance of the Archbasilica also holds the oldest Egyptian obelisk in Rome, which originally stood in the temple complex of Karnak.<ref name="cmswr">[https://cmswr.org/basilica-of-saint-john-lateran/ Basilica of Saint John Lateran]. ''Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious.''</ref> It holds many first-class relics, including the table which Catholics believe hosted the Last Supper.<ref name="cmswr"/> Some popes also have their tombs there.

====Scala Sancta====
Near the Archbasilica are the Holy Stairs, which you might point to as proof that Catholics will make anything into a relic. Believed to have been taken from [[Jerusalem]] by St. Helena, these stairs were allegedly scaled by Jesus during his trial before Pontius Pilate.<ref name="cmswr"/> They attract Catholic pilgrims who carefully climb the steps on their knees and occasionally kiss places where indicators claim that Christ's blood fell.<ref name="scalsanc">[https://anamericaninrome.com/wp/2017/02/holy-stairs-scala-santa-rome/ Holy Stairs: Scala Sancta in Rome]. ''American in Rome.''</ref> That's pretty gross.

Luckily for the stairs, they are encased in wood to protect against wear-and-tear, although some pilgrims with EX-rank luck got to see the bare marble during a 2019 restoration.<ref>{{wpa|Scala Sancta|}}</ref> It also helps that visitors are not allowed to climb the stairs on foot to avoid desecrating them with dirty shoes. 

The stairs attracted some scorn over the ages, with [[Martin Luther]] claiming to have felt shame in such absurdity while Charles Dickens called the sight "ridiculous and unpleasant".<ref name="scalsanc"/>

====Sancta Sanctorum====
At the top of the Holy Stairs, the Sancta Sanctorum was the private chapel of the Pope for the entire history of the papacy until it was opened to the public after the papacy's temporary move to Avignon, France.<ref>{{wpa|Sancta Sanctorum (Lateran, Rome)|}}</ref> It holds a reliquary box that allegedly contains relics from 13 saints, while the box itself is supposed to represent the [[Ark of the Covenant]]. Assuming you believe [[Ethiopia]], the real Ark is there. Regardless, the Church freely admits that they don't have it. The chapel also holds an icon that the Church says was [[miracle|miraculously]] painted by an [[angel]].<ref>[https://www.italianways.com/sancta-sanctorum-romes-true-colors/ Sancta Sanctorum: Rome's True Colors.] ''Italian Ways.''</ref> The chapel's inscription, along with its name, claims that it's the holiest place in the world, although many places contest that title.

===Palace of Castel Gandolfo===
[[File:Pontifical palace and Vatican Observatory, Castel Gandolfo.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The pope's summer pad.]]
The Pope's summer residence for 400 years, the castle was acquired by the papacy when the Italian Savelli family could not pay their debts.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/the-pope/9890227/A-rare-glimpse-inside-the-remote-retreat-Pope-Benedict-XVI-is-soon-to-call-home.html A rare glimpse inside the remote retreat Pope Benedict XVI is soon to call home]. ''The Telegraph.''</ref> And you know what happens when ya don't pay youse debts to Italians, dontcha? After seizing the castle, the various popes of the Church had it renovated and turned into a sweet-ass vacation pad for the summers. 

After many centuries, Pope Francis again refused his traditional rights and instead opened the Palace to visitors, allowing the once-exclusive rooms to be viewed by us peasants.<ref name="casgan">[https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/castel-gandolfo-pope-apartments-vatican-museums/index.html Pope opens private summer residence to visitors]. ''CNN.''</ref> Like some other Holy See properties, the castle was used during WWII to hide Jews from the [[Nazi]] Holocaust.<ref name="casgan"/> Pope John Paul II also made his mark on the Palace by having a swimming pool built there.

A less ancient addition, the [[Vatican Observatory]] operates some telescopes out of the Palace, helping fulfill the Church's longstanding preoccupation with [[astronomy]].<ref>{{wpa|Vatican Observatory|}}</ref>

===Basilica of the Holy House===
[[File:Basilica di Loreto 05.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Mary's holy house. In Italy. Somehow.]]
Located in Loreto, Italy, this basilica holds what Catholics believe is the original house of the Virgin Mary, where she was born and asked by the Archangel Gabriel to become the Mother of God. But wait, how could Mary's house be in Italy, of all places? Easy. Angels picked it up and flew it over. If you treat that story skeptically, you're a godless heathen and not alone. According to some Catholics, a more recent version of the story holds that the Angeli family looted the house during the [[Crusades]], having the entire structure carted off to Italy.<ref>[https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/did-angels-really-carry-the-holy-house-of-mary-to-loreto-italy-25088 Did angels really carry the Holy House of Mary to Loreto, Italy?] ''Catholic News Agency.''</ref> This version of events makes much more sense, benefiting from the fact that the Crusaders were real and were also known to shamelessly steal shit from the Holy Land.

In 1496, the Church built a basilica around the house, and in 1507 a marble enclosure was added around the house to keep it safe from damage.<ref>[http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/loreto-holy-house Holy House of Loreto]. ''Sacred Destinations.''</ref> It is, unsurprisingly, a hot attraction for Christian pilgrims and has been for centuries. Catholics believe the Virgin Mary still works miracles for those who pray at the house. 

There are also regular processions where sick and disabled people receive blessings and graces in the presence of the Virgin Mary's house.<ref>[https://thecatholictravelguide.com/destinations/italy/loreto-italy-holy-house-loreto-home-jesus-mary-joseph/ Loreto, Italy: Sanctuary of The Holy House……Home of Jesus, Mary & Joseph]. ''The Catholic Travel Guide''.</ref> We here at RationalWiki might receive some flak for saying that you should probably get medical attention for your problems instead.

==Map==
[[File:Vatican City map EN.png|thumb|center|800px|Map of the Vatican City.]]


==See also==
*[[Vatican website]]
*[[Jerusalem]]
*[[Mecca]]
*[[Medina]]

==External links==
*[https://digi.vatlib.it/ DigiVatLib, the digitization project of the Vatican Library]. Digitized works are available to be viewed through this link.
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNTsWFMLW-U Why is the Vatican an Independent Country?] a short video by ''History Matters'' on [[Youtube]].

===Virtual tours===
*[http://www.vatican.va/various/cappelle/sistina_vr/index.html 360° tour of the Sistine Chapel].
*[https://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_pietro/vr_tour/Media/VR/St_Peter_Altar/index.html 360° tour of the central main floor of St. Peter's Basilica].
*[https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/stanze-di-raffaello/tour-virtuale.html 360° tour of the Raphael Rooms].
*[https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/museo-pio-clementino/tour-virtuale.html 360° tour of the Pio Clementino Museum].
*[https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/braccio-nuovo/tour-virtuale.html 360° tour of the Vatican Museum's collection of Classical Roman statuary].
*[https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/cappella-niccolina/tour-virtuale.html 360° tour of the Niccoline Chapel in the Apostolic Palace].

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}
{{nationbox}}

[[Category:Christianity]]
[[category:Catholicism]]
[[category:European countries]]
[[Category:Italy]]
[[Category:Tax havens]]
[[Category:Authoritarian regimes]]
[[Category:Theocracy]]

Categories: Christianity, Catholicism, European countries, Italy, Tax havens, Authoritarian regimes, Theocracy