http://www.vaticansplendors.com Vatican Splendors Release RSS feed. . Copyright 2005, Vatican Splendors Tendenci Membership Management Software by Schipul - The Web Marketing Company en-us noemail@vaticansplendors.com Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:28:28 GMT Release http://www.vaticansplendors.com/en/rel/56/ What is the Vatican? The Vatican is an independent state located inside the city of Rome covering an area of 17 square miles. It is the home of Pope Benedict XVI, the current head of the Catholic Church worldwide. The Roman Pontiff, who resides at the Vatican, as the successor of Peter, is the perpetual and visible principle and foundation of unity of both the bishops and of the faithful. About one billion people worldwide profess the Catholic faith. Who lives there? In addition to the pope, there are 400 residents including the Swiss Guard. How long has Vatican City State existed? While many of the properties were built centuries ago (during the existence of the Papal States, ended in 1870), including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican only became a state in 1929 when the Lateran Treaty recognized the sovereign independence of Vatican City. What constitutes Vatican City's government? Benedict XVI is the official head of state. The College of... http://www.vaticansplendors.com/en/rel/56/ noemail@vaticansplendors.com Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:00:00 GMT