Vatican City

Vatican City is an independent landlocked country and city-state in Rome, Italy. It is the smallest state in the world, both in terms of area and population, with an area of 49 hectares (121 acres) and a population of approximately 764 as of 202312. The Holy See, an ecclesiastical or sacerdotal-monarchical state administered by the Pope, the bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church, governs the country.

Vatican City's official languages are Italian and Latin, with Italian serving as the de facto national language. Catholicism is the country's religion, which also serves as its state religion. The highest state officials are all Catholic clergy from varied backgrounds.

Many notable landmarks can be found in Vatican City, including St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums. These historical sites are known for their aesthetic and architectural wonders.

The greatest time to visit Vatican City, according to The Times, is during the winter months, from November to February, when crowds are thinner and the weather is colder. Weekends and school holidays are best avoided because they are busier. Wednesdays should also be avoided because that is when the Pope holds a papal audience. Because tour buses tend to arrive in the mornings, it's best to visit in the afternoon.

Area: 0.17 square miles (0.44 km²)