Maryann Allen, age 14, of Jamestown, N.Y. for her question:
HOW LARGE IS VATICAN CITY?
Vatican City is an independent state that is under the absolute authority of the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. It is an enclave within the city of Rome and it has a total area of only 109 acres.
Vatican City was established in 1929 under the terms of the Italian government and the papacy after many years of controversy. The treaty, which recognized full sovereignty of the Holy See within the state of Vatican City, was incorporated into Italy's constitution, promulgated in 1947.
Vatican City is on Vatican Hill in northwest Rome, just west of the Tiber River. It is surrounded by medieval and Renaissance walls and has six gates.
Many of the most renowned artists and architects of the Italian Renaissance were commissioned by popes to work on the Vatican's buildings.
The most imposing and the most important edifice in Vatican City is Saint Peter's Basilica. Built mostly between the 15th and 17th centuries, and designed by such artists as Bramante, Michelangelo and Bernini, it is the world center of Roman Catholic worship.
In the front of the great basilica is the Piazza San Pietro, the vast Saint Peter's Square. This area is usually open to the public.
The Papal Palace, officially known as the Palace of the Vatican, is actually a complex of buildings containing more than 1,000 rooms. It houses the papal apartments, the government offices of the Roman Catholic church, several chapels, museums and a library.
The most famous portions of the palace are the Sistine Chapel, with its great ceiling frescoes painted by Michelangelo, and Raphael's Rooms, the papal apartments with its beautiful frescoes painted by the Italian artist Raphael.
The Vatican library has about 1 million volumes, many of which are ancient treasures.
Vatican City has its own currency and postal system. It also has a railroad station, a a radio station, and manages its own telephone and telegraph services. A daily newspaper and an official monthly journal are published there, as are books and pamphlets in many languages.
Vatican City is governed by the Pope, who has absolute executive, legislative and judicial powers. The executive powers are delegated to a governor, who is responsible directly to the Pope.
In the exercise of his legislative powers, the Pope is advised and assisted by the Sacred College of Cardinals and by the various Sacred Congregations.
The judicial powers are exercised by tribunals. Appeals of their decisions are heard by the sacred Roman Rota and by the supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature.
The Secretariat of State represents the Holy See in diplomatic relations with foreign powers. Internal security and protection is maintained by the Swiss Guards. The Piazza San Pietro, however, is subject to the authority of the Italian police.