Vatican City

Understand

The Vatican City is the temporal seat of the Pope, head of the worldwide Catholic Church. Situated within the city of Rome, the Vatican is the world's smallest sovereign state. You may also hear the term Holy See (Italian: Santa Sede; Latin: Sancta Sedes), which is used to refer to the Diocese of Rome—that is, the ecclesiastical and administrative authority of the Pope, rather than the sovereign governmental entity that is the Vatican City State.

Whenever a Pope dies or resigns, a new Pope is elected by the Papal Conclave, which is comprised of a group of senior clergy known as cardinals. The election takes place inside the Sistine Chapel, whose doors are locked during the proceedings. The ballot papers are burnt after each round of voting, with black smoke coming from the Sistine Chapel chimney indicating that the previous round of voting was inconclusive and white smoke indicating that a new Pope has been chosen. After changing into his Papal vestments, the new Pope is then presented to the public from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

Get in

thumb|600px|Map of the Vatican District

Although the Vatican City is an independent country, it does not issue visas or residency permits to visitors; it has open borders with Italy.

Since Italy is a part of the Schengen area, its common visa policy applies.

See

There is a lot of artwork to see in Vatican City.

Do

While guidebooks do their best to provide an aid for viewing the collections inside the Vatican, a guided tour is a far better way to make sure you get the most out of your visit.

Buy

The Vatican has a unique, non-commercial economy supported financially by contributions (known as Peter's Pence) from Roman Catholics worldwide. It also sells postage stamps, tourist mementoes, and publications. Fees for admission to museums also go into church coffers.

The Vatican euro coins are the rarest in circulation among European countries, so don't spend them! They are worth a lot more than their face value. Collecting Vatican coins is a popular hobby among numismatists, as the coins of the Vatican City carry a great deal of historical and religious significance. Vatican coins often depict images of popes, saints, and scenes from the Bible and can be a great way to commemorate a special event or admire the coins' beauty. Collecting Vatican coins also offers the chance to learn more about the history of the Vatican and the Catholic faith.

Sleep

Unless you count the Pope as a good friend (and he concurs), there are no lodging opportunities in the Vatican City itself. However, there are many hotels in the surrounding Vaticano neighbourhood of Rome.

Stay safe

You should not assume that the Vatican only attracts the honest. Since the Vatican receives so many people from around the world, there are also those who try to deprive people of their personal property. Keep an eye on your belongings at all times.

The Vatican City has its own laws and the Vatican legal system is based on canon law, which means you can expect to be treated with a degree of leniency in the unlikely event you are arrested. In October 2012, the Pope's former butler was arrested and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, but was pardoned by the pope two months later. Do not let the highly forgiving nature of Vatican law fool you; Vatican authorities regularly collaborate with Italian authorities and you can also expect to be prosecuted under Italian laws.

The Vatican can get overcrowded at times. If you're travelling with family members or with a friend, stick together. Supervise your children (if you have any) closely to make sure they are not lost among the crowd.

As is the case throughout Europe, the local emergency number here is 112.

All Vatican law enforcement officials (known as the Gendarmerie) are male and are between the ages of 21 and 25 (as required by Vatican law). They are generally courteous, professional, and helpful. Don't be afraid to ask them for any help.

Stay healthy

There are no hospitals or medical clinics in the Vatican. If you require urgent medical attention or health services of any kind, it is strongly recommended that you go to a hospital or a clinic in Rome.

Respect

Many tips in the Christianity article will come in handy when visiting. Respect the Catholic Church, its practices and its doctrine. You don't have to praise the Pope or the Catholic Church; as long as you are polite and refrain from discussing controversial subjects (e.g. birth control and contraceptives), you will be fine.

While everyone is welcome to attend Mass in the Vatican – as in any Catholic church around the world – if you are not a baptized and confirmed Catholic, you should not receive Holy Communion. It is a serious matter for practising Catholics. Depending on the church, you may be able to receive a blessing from the priest instead.

Dress appropriately — no sleeveless shirts, shorts, flip-flops, trainers, or skirts that do not cover the knee — or else you will be refused entry to various places around the Vatican.

The Vatican is a holy place for millions of Christians around the world. Be open to new experiences, and don't feel afraid of communicating with anyone.

Photography and filming in the Vatican are permitted, except in the Sistine Chapel. You are not allowed to use your flash or to bring selfie sticks, professional photography equipment or tripods. If you want to take photographs of Swiss guards, ask respectfully.

Smoking has been banned by the Vatican since 2002; anyone caught smoking risks being fined or disciplined by the Vatican authorities.

Go next

Right outside the borders, the amazing attractions of the global city of Rome await you. If you're up for some more historic sightseeing, visit the beautiful piazzas and palazzos of Old Rome or head to the ancient Roman ruins in the Colosseo district. If not, the hustle and bustle of the Modern Centre with all its shopping opportunities and colourful nightlife might be just what you are looking for.

If you can't get enough of the papal atmosphere, head to the San Giovanni neighbourhood to visit San Giovanni in Laterano, the Pope's cathedral in his role as Bishop of Rome. The small city of Viterbo also makes a good next stop. This is where popes took refuge when they were driven out of Rome and where six of the 13th-century popes had their seat. Castel Gandolfo, overlooking Lake Albano, is another location where the pope's summer residence is.