Vatican City

The Vatican City State, established by the Lateran Treaty between Mussolini and Pius XI in 1929, is the world's smallest independent state (0.44 km2) and sovereign territory of the Holy See - the governing body of the Roman Catholic Church. Home to the Pope, it contains St Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums. The Pope's global moral authority extends to approximately 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.

• Existed: 1929 CE – present
• Type: Entity
• Government: Absolute Monarchy (Ecclesiastical)
• Capital: Vatican City