VATICAN CITY STATE Vatican City is landlocked sovereign citystate whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome. It has an area of approximately 44 hectares (0. This makes Vatican City the smallest independent city in the world by both area and population.44 km). . and a population of just over 800. Italy. rainy winters from September to mid-May and hot. The Vatican climate is the same as Rome's. a temperate. dry summers from May to August. . Mediterranean climate with mild. The Pope is the sovereign of the state. Papa Benedict XVI . Legislative authority is vested in the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State.Political system The government of Vatican City has a unique structure. a body of cardinals appointed by the Pope for five-year periods. . legislative and judicial power over Vatican City. Nevertheless. assisted by the General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary. The state's foreign relations are entrusted to the Holy See's Secretariat of State and diplomatic service. He is currently the only absolute monarch in Europe. Executive power is in the hands of the President of that commission. the pope has full and absolute executive. . . According to this treaty it was accepted which official language was Catholic and Rome was holy city. Patti Lateranensi was signed by Italy and church. Vatican City State was established in 1929 by the Lateran Treaty. and the Swiss Guard. The Vatican citizenry consists almost entirely of two groups: clergy. and a very few as officials of the state. most of whom work in the service of the Holy See. . notably those of France. regular Swiss mercenary regiments have served as line troops in various armies.SWISS GUARD Swiss Guards are the Swiss soldiers who have served as bodyguards. . Spain and Naples up to the 19th century. In contemporary usage. and palace guards at foreign European courts since the late 15th century. Apart from household and guard units. ceremonial guards. the name Swiss Guards generally refers to the Pontifical Swiss Guard of Holy See. . Vatican City is home to some of the most famous art in the world. St. Michelangelo. whose successive architects include Bramante. Peter's Basilica. . Maderno and Bernini. is a renowned work of Renaissance architecture.Giacomo dell Porta. Artists who decorated the interiors of the Vatican include Raphael and Fra Angelico. Domenico Ghirlandaio and Botticelli as well as the ceiling and Last Judgement by Michelangelo. . The Sistine Chapel is famous for its frescos. which include works by Perugino. Also it has 154 radio stations or emission. In addition there are 49 tv channels or cable tv. It is published weekly and monthly. Vatican has 200 magazines and news. . The Vatican Gardens have been a place of quiet and meditation for the Popes ever since 1279 when Nicholas III moved his residence back to the Vatican from the Lateran Palace. . QUESTIONS 1) Which Hollywood movie is about the Vatican? 2) Today what is name of the pope ? 3) Was the Vatican City established by who ? 4) How many years is the pope duty ? .