Vatican City: Smallest Country, Global Influence

Vatican City, the world's smallest country at 0.17 square miles, is the spiritual and administrative center of the Catholic Church. Despite tiny size, the Vatican wields global influence through 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.

St. Peter's Basilica, Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo's ceiling, and Vatican Museums contain priceless art and religious treasures. Swiss Guards protect the Pope. Vatican City became independent in 1929 through Lateran Treaty with Italy.

The Pope is absolute monarch of Vatican City. Latin is an official language. The Vatican has its own postal service, radio station, and newspaper. Despite no economic production, donations from Catholics worldwide fund operations. Vatican diplomacy influences global affairs through moral authority. This unique microstate demonstrates how religious significance can create international importance beyond territorial size.