Vatican: Tiny City-State with Global Religious Significance

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Vatican is the smallest city-state in the world, located in Rome, Italy. With an area of only 0.44 square kilometers and a population of around 764 people (estimated 2023), the Vatican is not just an administrative territory, but also the spiritual, liturgical, and governance center of the Roman Catholic Church. The Vatican has been in the spotlight for over a month since the death of Pope Francis, the conclave process, until the election of Pope Leo XIV, on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

The Vatican is surrounded by medieval and Renaissance walls, except for the southeast side, which opens onto St. Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro).

Status and Government Structure

According to Britannica, the Vatican is a sovereign state formed based on the Lateran Treaty of 1929 between the Holy See and the Italian Fascist Government under Benito Mussolini. The Vatican government is entirely under the authority of the Pope. The spiritual and administrative governance of the Catholic Church is known as the Holy See, which is also internationally recognized as a diplomatic entity.

Facilities in the Vatican

The main buildings in the Vatican are St. Peter's Basilica, one of the largest churches in the world, built on the tomb of Saint Peter the Apostle, considered the first Pope. This basilica is the main location for papal masses and gatherings of the Catholic faithful. Not far from the basilica, there is the Apostolic Palace, the residence of the Pope, which also serves as the administrative center of the Holy See.

The Vatican has various facilities, including postal and telecommunication systems, radio and media services, gardens (Vatican gardens), an astronomical observatory, and financial institutions, including the Vatican Bank (IOR). There is also a pharmacy, bookstore, and printing press. The Vatican has the Swiss Guard Unit, which has been in service since 1506 and is responsible for the personal security of the Pope.

The Papacy

The papal roots in Rome begin with the existence of Saint Peter, believed to have died and been buried at the site of St. Peter's Basilica. Over time, the church accumulated political power through the territory known as the Patrimony of St. Peter, which later became the Papal States. In the 19th century, an Italian coalition led to the loss of these territories and sparked a political crisis between the church and the state. The Lateran Treaty of 1929 established the Vatican's status as an independent state to ensure the spiritual and political freedom of the Pope in leading the universal church.

Vatican II Council and Church Reform

One of the milestones in the modernization of the Catholic Church was the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), initiated by Pope John XXIII. This council brought about major reforms in liturgy, including the use of local languages in the Mass instead of Latin, and emphasized the role of the laity in Church life. This council also became a symbol of the church's openness to the modern world and interfaith dialogue.

The Catholic Church has a strict hierarchical structure, with the Pope as the highest leader, followed by the cardinals, archbishops, bishops, priests, and the laity. The Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments and has a devotion to the saints and a special veneration of the Virgin Mary.

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