The Vatican City includes Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Palace and Museum covering more than 13 acres, the Vatican gardens and neighboring buildings between Viale Vaticano and the Church. Thirteen buildings in Rome, although outside the boundaries, enjoy extra-territorial rights.

The Vatican City State was founded following the signing of the Lateran Pacts between the Holy See and Italy on February 11, 1929. The Treaty of Conciliation, the Concordat and the financial convention, signed in the Lateran Palace, established the independent State of the Vatican City and gave the Catholic religion special status in Italy.

At present, about 50 nations maintain diplomatic representatives in the Vatican City.