The city that lies within Rome, is an independent state ruled by the Roman Catholic pope who has absolute legislative, executive and judicial power. It is the world's smallest sovereign state....own citizenship, flag, currency, guards, railway station and postal service. It is:

*The residence of the pope and

*The spiritual, religious and administrative center of the roman Catholic Church.

Vatican city has it's own library ( oldest public library in Europe), radio and television stations and newspaper and is home to vast picture galleries, sculpture galleries and museums of antiquities.

The Sistine Chapel built in 1473 for pope Sixtus IV serves as the private chapel of the pope.