VATICAN

Vatican /vætɪkən ˈsɪti/, with the official name called State of the Vatican City (Italian: Stato della Città del Vaticano, spelled [ˈsta(ː)to delːa tʃiˈtːa del vatiˈka(ː)no]) is the smallest independent state in the world, in terms of land area and population. Vatican is an enclave which located in Rome City area in Italy. Vatican is Pope's residence and The Holy Throne, central authorities of the Catholic Churches.

HISTORY

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It was estimated that the region in Rome city was not previously occupied (ager vaticanus) had always been considered sacred, even before the advent of Christianity. In 326, the first church was built on the place which was estimated as the cemetery of Santo Petrus. Since then, this place was more and more populated.
The Popes in their secular roles began to expand their influences in areas around and through the countries, the Popes reigned many areas in Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid-18^th century when all Italy were united.
And then in 1870, the Pope's territories were reduced again when the Rome was annexed. The dispute between Popes and Italy was finally completed on February 11^th, 1929 when Benito Mussolini and Popes signed the Lateran Treaty which was also known as the Concordat. The main contents of this treaty were the recognition of the State of Vatican under the rule of the Apostolic See, a special status for the Catholic Religion in Italy, and the compensation to the Vatican for losses suffered when Italy was founded. In 1984, this Concordat was adjusted again.