Vatican City State

Europe

Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy).

41°54′N 12°27′E

President of the Government Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo	Pope Benedict XVI

Capital
Vatican City

Government
Ecclesiastical, Sacerdotal - Monarchica

Religion
Roman Catholic

Population
826

Ethnic groups
Italians, Swiss, other

National Language
Latin

National Day
11 February 1929 (Independence from the Kingdom of Italy)

Currency
Euro (€)

Anthem
"Inno e Marcia Pontificale"  (Italian) "Pontifical Anthem and March"

Attractions
Sistine Chapel,  St Peter's Basilica,  St Peter's Square,  Vatican Museums

Website
www.vaticanstate.va

Art & Cultural

The ICON

St Peter's Basilica   The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter (Latin: Basilica Sancti Petri), officially known in Italian as Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano and commonly known as St. Peter's Basilica, is a Late Renaissance church located within the Vatican City. St. Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world.[1] It is regarded as one of the holiest Catholic sites. It has been described as "holding a unique position in the Christian world" and as "the greatest of all churches of Christendom".