The narrative discusses the unique status of Vatican City, the world's smallest country and home to the Catholic Church. It traces the history of the Papal States, which covered much of modern-day Italy, and how it was conquered by the Kingdom of Italy. The Pope, who was the ruler of the Papal States, refused to acknowledge the Kingdom of Italy's existence while simultaneously complaining about being a prisoner of the Kingdom of Italy.
This led to a standoff that lasted for two popes and sixty years. The situation was resolved by Benito Mussolini, the then Prime Minister of Italy, who struck a deal with the Pope. Italy gave the land of Vatican City to the Pope and in return, the Pope acknowledged Italy's existence and promised to remain neutral in politics and wars. This deal was signed and Vatican City was born.
Today, Vatican City has its own government, laws, police, bank, stamps, license plates, and top-level domain. However, it's not like any other country. The Pope and the King of Vatican City are two different roles but are occupied by the same person at the same time. This dual role makes Vatican City unique, as it's the world's only elected non-hereditary absolute monarchy.
The citizens of Vatican City are not born but appointed by the King, who is also the Pope. There are about 500 full citizens, all of whom work for the Holy See in various roles. Vatican City does not have a real permanent population, and it's best to think of it as a sovereign corporate headquarters that grants temporary citizenship to its managers.
The narrative concludes by emphasizing that the world cares about Vatican City not because of its citizens but because of the billion members of its church outside of its walls.
1. Vatican City is the capital of the Catholic Church and home to the Pope.
2. The city is home to impressive collections of art and history.
3. Vatican City is the world's smallest country.
4. The city is conveniently circumnavigatable on foot in only 40 minutes.
5. The city was established by Benito Mussolini, the then Prime Minister of Italy.
6. The city was created as a result of a deal between Italy and the Pope, where Italy gave the land of Vatican City to the Pope and received apology money in return.
7. Vatican City has its own government, which makes its own laws and enforces them with its own police.
8. The city has its own bank, prints its own stamps, and issues its own license plates.
9. Vatican City has its own top-level domain, dot v-a.
10. Despite its national trappings, Vatican City is not like any other country.
11. The Pope of Vatican City is the bishop for all the Catholics in Rome.
12. The Pope's throne is special and has its own special name, the Holy See.
13. The King of Vatican City has absolute unchecked power within the country's borders.
14. Vatican City is one of the only six remaining absolute monarchies in the world.
15. Vatican City can't join the European Union because only democracies are allowed.
16. Vatican City has a legislative branch of government staffed by cardinals appointed by the Pope.
17. The King of Vatican City can overrule the decisions of the legislative branch at any time for any reason.
18. Vatican City is the world's only elected non-hereditary absolute monarchy.
19. Vatican City does not have a real permanent population. There are about 500 full citizens.
20. These citizens work for the Holy See as cardinals, diplomats, the Pope's bodyguards, or other Catholic-related jobs.
21. Vatican City is best thought of as a sovereign corporate headquarters that grants temporary citizenship to its managers.
22. The reason the world cares about Vatican City is not because of the citizens within its walls but because of the billion members of its church outside of those walls.