"The Holy See: A Pilgrim's Report" Top 5 Page for this destination Vatican City by Diana75

Vatican City Travel Guide: 1,267 reviews and 3,878 photos

The Holy See: A Pilgrim's Report - Vatican City

A place like all the others and still unique in its mission, a place marked by the history and men and still above the time and mankind, a place where we all can touch the miracle of our creation, our existance as Christians.

A visit to The Holy See is a pilgrimage to our origins, a meeting with our Christian faith and the memory of the Apostles and martyres.

"The Church can regard no one as excluded from its motherly embrace, no one as outside the scope of its motherly care. It has no enemies except those who wish to make themselves such. Its catholicity is no idle boast. It was not for nothing that it received its mission to foster love, unity and peace among men." (Paul VI, Ecclesiam suam, 94)

State of the Vatican City

Domenica delle Palmi, April 2000

As Christian and Catholic, I will never conceive a visit to Rome without visiting the Vatican City, the spiritual centre of the Christendom, with the famous Saint Peter's Basilica and the other three Basilicas located outside the Holy See walls: Saint John in Lateran, Saint Mary Major and Saint Paul outside the Walls, the impressive Vatican Museums, the beautiful Gardens and the fantastic St. Peter's Square.

Vatican City, officially State of the Vatican City is, since the Lateran Agreement (1929), an independent state and actually the world's smallest state, actually a microstate, spreading on approximately 44 ha, having only one thousand citizens.

Other properties of the Holy See located outside the Vatican, in the Italian territory, such as Castel Gandolfo and the Patriarchal Basilicas, have a special status similar to the one of the foreign embassies.
A city within the city and a State within a State, but the whole world in it.

The Holy Father Benedict XVI

The Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church

The state is governed by the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) and the highest state functionaries are all clergymen of the Catholic Church.

The Holy Father is ex officio head of state and head of government of Vatican City. He is the only absolute monarch in Europe.

The Pope is elected for a life term in conclave by cardinals under the age of 80.

The current Pope is Benedict XVI, born Joseph Ratzinger in Germany.

Last visit to Vatican City: Jan 2007
Intro Updated Feb 12, 2007
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Reviews (75)

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Visiting the Vatican Museums - Vatican City

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Shopping (3)
See All Souvenirs Transpontina
Local Customs (4)
See All St. Peter's Basilica length
Transportation (3)
See All Walking around
Warnings and Dangers (1)
Saint Peter's Basilica: Climbing up the...

Off The Beaten Path (6)
See All Visiting the dome of St. Peter's...
Nightlife (1)
Saint Peter by night
Things to Do (52)
See All San Paolo fuori le Mura – The cloister
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Comments (17)

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fabrice May 8, 2011 at 12:15 AM

so many beautiful things in such a little country
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Fam.Rauca Jan 20, 2008 at 11:16 AM

This is a wonderful page with splendid images and very interesting tips. Best regards from Vienna and “HAPPY BIRTHDAY”! Gabriela
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hunterV Jan 19, 2008 at 6:22 AM

Splendid photos and stories, thanx!
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Toshioohsako Nov 11, 2007 at 11:42 AM

I am not a chistian but i was in Varican. I like the city and the Vatican museum. Greetings
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betako3 Oct 21, 2007 at 10:42 AM

This page is simply amazing! A real well of info and your pictures are great too. I wonder how long it took you to put it all together.
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Trekki Apr 21, 2007 at 4:32 PM

Marvellous, simply marvellous Diana ! What an amazing guide through Vatican City ! How lucky you have been to be there for such a special event! And the mangers in your travellogue are very much special :-))
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Luchonda Apr 10, 2007 at 11:34 AM

A wonderful job you did here Diana, congrats and greetz from Ghent
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beanbag Apr 10, 2007 at 7:26 AM

Hi Diana! Really nice Vatican page. I have been there twice, once in 2003 and again in 2006 and will be back again. There is so much to see in Rome. Tommy
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11dana Mar 6, 2007 at 4:33 AM

Mi-nu-na-ta poza!Felicitari
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icunme Feb 27, 2007 at 7:40 AM

Great work and love these new pages - will return often...... Ciao bella, Carol