Vatican City (Citta' del Vaticano)

Vatican City, officially the State of the Vatican City (Stato della Citta’ del Vaticano), is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome, the capital city of Italy.

The Vatican City has about 900 inhabitants (including only 200 women), and covers an area of 44 hectares (1045m. x 850m.). It has a military organization (the Swiss Guard, consisting of about one hundred men, who protect the Pope’s person and the main entrances to the City); a flag (yellow and white with St. Peter’s keys under the triple crown); a national anthem (the Pontifical March by Charles Gounod); its own currency, postage stamps and car license plates.
The Vatican City State has, along with the rest of the world, emerged from history to be recognized by the international community as a legal sovereign body with membership to various international organizations (Universal Postal Union, International Telecommunications Union, International Union for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works).
The Pope is ex officio head of state and head of government of Vatican City, functions dependent on his primordial function as bishop of the diocese of Rome. The term Holy See refers not to the Vatican state but to the Pope’s spiritual and pastoral governance, largely exercised through the Roman Curia. His official title with regard to Vatican City is Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City.
His principal subordinate government official for Vatican City is the President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, who since 1952 exercises the functions previously belonging to the Governor of Vatican City. Since 2001, the President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State also has the title of President of the Governorate of the State of Vatican City.
The Pope resides in the Papal Apartments of the Papal Palace just off Saint Peter’s Square. It is here he carries out his business and meets foreign representatives.
The current Pope is Benedict XVI, born Joseph Alois Ratzinger in Bavaria, Germany. Italian Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo serves as President of the Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City. He was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI on 11 September 2006.