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Faithful hold Vatican Holy State flags during a national mourning mass for late Pope John Paul II
Image: APImage: AP

Vatican City

Vatican City, officially Vatican City State, is a country located in Rome, the smallest state in the world both by area and population (about 800.) Founded in 1929, it is ruled by the bishop of Rome — the pope.

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Reports & Analysis

Pope Francis kisses the hand of Indonesia's Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar

Vatican's 'pivot to Asia' reflected in Pope Francis' tour

Vatican's 'pivot to Asia' reflected in Pope Francis' tour

The pope's 12-day tour shows that the Vatican — like many other Western states — is working to deepen ties with Asia.
ReligionSeptember 13, 2024
St. Joseph's Church with a Chinese flag flying

Decoding China: The Vatican's difficult diplomacy

Decoding China: The Vatican's difficult diplomacy

To what extent can China allow the Catholic Church in the country if Beijing has little influence over the Vatican?
ReligionSeptember 1, 2024
Pilgrims from Vietnam pose as they gather to attend mass led by Pope Francis at the Steppe Arena in Ulaanbaatar on September 3, 2023

Vatican eyes closer ties with communist Vietnam

Vatican eyes closer ties with communist Vietnam

Religious organizations in Vietnam are tightly under the thumb of the communist authorities.
PoliticsApril 25, 2024
Fokus Europa Italien Papstschneider

The pope's tailor

The pope's tailor

Filippo Sorcinelli has tailored the vestments of many Catholic dignitaries.
SocietyNovember 13, 202304:24 min
St Peter's Basilica at sunset

Catholic Church synod: How explosive are calls for reform?

Catholic Church synod: How explosive are calls for reform?

The church is in crisis but a major meeting of bishops in Rome will see unusually open dialogue.
ReligionOctober 3, 2023
Opposition members praying in a church in Managua, Nicaragua

Vatican-Nicaragua relations: Strained or broken?

Vatican-Nicaragua relations: Strained or broken?

Media reports say diplomatic relations between Managua and the Holy See are over. But are they really?
PoliticsMarch 15, 2023
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