The Vatican is the smallest independent state in the world and exists exclusively as a papal residence. Until the year 1860, the Pope ruled large areas of central Italy but these were incorporated into the then newly formed Kingdom of Italy, which would invade Rome itself in 1870, confining the Pope to the set of buildings for religious and administrative functions known as the Vatican. In 1929, it was recognized as an independent state in exchange for the Pope renouncing his claims to Rome and surrounding territories.
The Vatican lacks industries, agriculture, or commerce, although it earns some income from its economy from tourism. It is the administrative headquarters of the Catholic Church, which supports it financially. Its sovereign is the Pope, currently Pope Francis I, who was elected in 2013. The Vatican City has as a system of Government an absolute, ecclesiastical monarchy and elective theocracy. His current secretary of state is Pietro Parolin.
All high government officials belong to the Catholic clergy, from different parts of the world. The official currency, as in the rest of the European Union, is the Euro and the official languages are Latin and Italian. Among the sites of interest in the Vatican, are St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel (renowned work of art by Michelangelo) and the many Museums of the city, within which are some of the works of art Most important in the world. Being the smallest city-state in the world, it has a population of just 842 people (according to the July 2014 census), so it is extremely safe.
However, the low crime rate in the Vatican consists primarily of foreign pickpockets stealing from tourists. Even when a criminal is caught committing a crime within the territory of the Vatican, he must be handed over to the Italian security forces (who monitor the security of the city-state) and processed according to Italian laws for later incarceration in prisons in Italy, Since these do not exist in the Vatican. All costs are covered by the ecclesiastical State.
