Vatican City is a sovereign city-state totally contained within the city of Rome, Italy. It is the smallest independent state, 110 acres and less than 1000 inhabitants, in the world. Its status as an independent state was defined by the 1929, Lateran Treaty which was arranged by Pope Pius XI and Prime Minister Benito Mussolini.
Saint Peter's
The Vatican obelisk from Heliopolis, Egypt was built by the Pharaoh Mencares in 1835 BC. It was moved to Rome by Caligula in 37 BC.
Saint Peter's Cupola
The Vatican Museum
Evening
Pictures by Tom Aprille ( tomaprille@quartomese.com )