Situated in the southern part of Europe, Vatican is literally the most sacred place on earth. It occupies a land area of less than half a kilometer square and has a population of less than a thousand. It was founded and was granted independence during the nineteenth century. But, before its foundation, several unlikely events occurred in order for Italy to decide for the permanent home of the clergy, most specially the pope. Several intrigues and crimes in the struggle to eliminate the enemies of Vatican state took place before the
Roman government separated the Vatican from its territory.
On May 13, 1871, long before the establishment of the present structure of Vatican, the papacy holds its abode at a village called Castel Gandolfo. However, the popes disagreed with this arrangement, and by 1929, Italy and Vatican made a pact that established the independence of Vatican or more formally called the
Holy See. Pope John XXIII set the policies for the modernized Church. On 1962, he devised a plan that revolutionized the practices of the clergy. Its power was distributed amongst the bishops.
Also, during this time was the translation of the liturgies to the vernacular was done. Such policy gave ordinary peoples to participate in the activities of the clergy. Languages spoken by Vatican residents are Italian, French, and Latin. On the other hand, their festivity depends upon the date of the coronation of the present pope.
Pilgrims at Vatican must not be surprised to find no airports there. Only, they will be glad to know that the country is guarded by Swiss military men.
