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Vatican City

Vatican City, officially Vatican City State, is a country located in Rome, the smallest state in the world both by area and population (about 800.) Founded in 1929, it is ruled by the Bishop of Rome - the Pope.

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Reports & Analysis

Pilgrims from Vietnam pose as they gather to attend mass led by Pope Francis at the Steppe Arena in Ulaanbaatar on September 3, 2023

Vatican eyes closer ties with communist Vietnam

Vatican eyes closer ties with communist Vietnam

Religious organizations in Vietnam are tightly under the thumb of the communist authorities.
PoliticsApril 25, 2024
Fokus Europa Italien Papstschneider

The pope's tailor

The pope's tailor

Filippo Sorcinelli has tailored the vestments of many Catholic dignitaries.
SocietyNovember 13, 202304:24 min
St Peter's Basilica at sunset

Catholic Church synod: How explosive are calls for reform?

Catholic Church synod: How explosive are calls for reform?

The church is in crisis but a major meeting of bishops in Rome will see unusually open dialogue.
ReligionOctober 3, 2023
Opposition members praying in a church in Managua, Nicaragua

Vatican-Nicaragua relations: Strained or broken?

Vatican-Nicaragua relations: Strained or broken?

Media reports say diplomatic relations between Managua and the Holy See are over. But are they really?
PoliticsMarch 15, 2023
Tourists look at a piece of the Parthenon frieze in the British Museum.

No plans to give Parthenon Marbles back to Greece

No plans to give Parthenon Marbles back to Greece

PM Sunak says UK will not alter law to give Parthenon fragments to Greece. The debate over their restitution continues.
ArtsMarch 14, 2023
Pope Francis looks out from a balcony at the Vatican in 2013

Approachable and opaque: 10 years of Pope Francis

Approachable and opaque: 10 years of Pope Francis

Pope Francis has been head of the Catholic Church for 10 years. What has the former clergyman from Argentina achieved?
ReligionMarch 12, 2023
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