Vatican 101: Fascinating Facts About the Vatican Become a Quick \u201cExpert\u201d on the Holy See 1. The Vatican Is the Smallest Country in the World In 1929, the Lateran Treaty was signed by Italy and the Holy See. This treaty recognized the Pope\u2019s sovereignty over Vatican City and granted the Catholic Church financial compensation and special privileges within Italy. Before the Lateran Treaty, the area had already been enclosed as early as the 9th century by the Leonine Walls, constructed under the orders of Pope Leo IV to protect St. Peter\u2019s Basilica from Saracen raids. The walls we see today are later expansions, built primarily during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. These expanded fortifications also form the modern borders of Vatican City, as defined by the Lateran Treaty. While traveling through Rome, visitors can\u2019t miss Castel Sant\u2019Angelo. This fortress is more closely connected to Vatican City than many realize. Hidden within the city lies the Passetto di Borgo, a narrow corridor that links the Vatican directly to Castel Sant\u2019Angelo. It served as an escape route for popes during times of crisis\u2014most notably, it was used by Pope Clement VII during the 1527 Sack of Rome. Although Vatican City remains the world\u2019s smallest independent country by both area and population, it stands as the religious center of the Catholic Church and the spiritual home of over 1.4 billion Catholics. 2. Guarded by the Swiss Guards There are several different units responsible for protecting the Vatican, but the most famous is the Swiss Guard\u2014an elite military unit founded in 1506 to protect the Pope and the Papal States. To this day, these soldiers continue to ensure the Pope\u2019s safety, maintain the security of Vatican City, and guard the key entrances to the Apostolic Palace. 3. St. Peter\u2019s Basilica Is the Largest Church in the World Although Vatican City is the smallest country in the world, it is home to St. Peter\u2019s Basilica\u2014the largest church in the world, which draws millions of visitors and pilgrims each year. But did you know that this magnificent structure is actually called the New St. Peter\u2019s Basilica? The Baroque-style basilica we see today was built between 1506 and 1626 and was designed by Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo. The original, so-called Old St. Peter\u2019s Basilica was built by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century over the tomb of Saint Peter and quickly became a central site in Christendom. Over time, the need to reconstruct the basilica grew, leading to the gradual deconstruction of the old structure and the construction of the new basilica in its place. 4. Built on Vatican Hill \u2014 Once a Site of Martyrdom The Vatican is built on what was once Vatican Hill, which housed the Circus of Nero\u2014an ancient arena where early Christians, including Peter the Apostle, were martyred in the 1st century. The Circus of Nero, once a symbol of systematic, state-sponsored persecution of Christians, now lies beneath one of the holiest places in Christianity. This legacy of persecution makes St. Peter\u2019s Basilica a powerful symbol of Christianity\u2019s triumph over the pagan Roman Empire. 5. Saint Peter\u2019s Tomb Lies Beneath the Basilica Saint Peter\u2019s tomb is located directly beneath the main altar of St. Peter\u2019s Basilica. He is considered not only the leader of the apostles but also the first pope of the Catholic Church, making the tomb a site of great historical and religious significance. In the 1940s, under the direction of Pope Pius XII, archaeological excavations were carried out beneath St. Peter\u2019s Basilica. The excavations uncovered a 1st-century necropolis and a tomb. Supported by both historical tradition and archaeological evidence, many scholars believe this tomb to be that of Saint Peter. 6. Michelangelo\u2019s Piet\u00e0 Sculpture Is Near the Entrance As you enter St. Peter\u2019s Basilica, you\u2019ll find Michelangelo\u2019s Piet\u00e0 to your right. Sculpted when he was just 24 years old, this masterpiece depicts the Virgin Mary cradling the body of Jesus. It is the only artwork Michelangelo ever signed. 7. No Paintings \u2014 Only Mosaics in the Basilica You won\u2019t find traditional paintings inside St. Peter\u2019s Basilica. Instead, the walls and ceilings are decorated with intricate mosaics\u2014some so finely detailed that they appear to be paintings. These mosaics are more durable than oil paintings, which is why this decorative method was chosen. 8. You Can Climb St. Peter\u2019s Dome for Stunning Views of Rome For a fee of \u20ac8\u201310, visitors can climb to the top of St. Peter\u2019s dome, where they are rewarded with a breathtaking 360\u00b0 view of Rome, the Vatican Gardens, and St. Peter\u2019s Square below. 9. The Vatican Museums House Masterpieces by Michelangelo and Raphael The Vatican Museums contain one of the world\u2019s most impressive art collections, including Michelangelo\u2019s Sistine Chapel ceiling and The Last Judgment, as well as Raphael\u2019s The School of Athens. Note that the museums are accessed from outside the Vatican walls. 10. Attend the Pope\u2019s Angelus or General Audiences in St. Peter\u2019s Square On Sundays at noon, the Pope often delivers the Angelus prayer and blessing from a window overlooking St. Peter\u2019s Square. On Wednesdays, when he is in Rome, the general audience gives pilgrims the chance to hear him speak and receive his blessing in person. 11. Mass at St. Peter\u2019s Basilica Mass is celebrated daily at St. Peter\u2019s Basilica, with Sunday Mass held at 10:30 AM. Visitors should be aware that seating is limited, and security checks and appropriate dress are required. You can find the full Mass schedule online. 12. Dress Code for the Vatican Visitors to St. Peter\u2019s Basilica must follow a modest dress code: shoulders and knees must be covered, and hats should be removed upon entering religious spaces. Inside the Vatican \u2013 Special Access Virtual Tour Located throughout Vatican City are places that require special permission to visit. In this self-guided itinerary, we will show you the best places to see. Sign up and get weekly updates with new locations, itineraries, and videos. This articla was originally published by EWTN TravelApp. Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. 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