Vatican City

American  

noun

1. an independent state within the city of Rome, on the right bank of the Tiber. Established in 1929, it is ruled by the pope and includes St. Peter's Church and the Vatican. 109 acres (44 hectares).

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Vatican City British  

noun

1. Italian name: Città del Vaticano.  Also called: the Holy See.  an independent state forming an enclave in Rome, with extraterritoriality over 12 churches and palaces in Rome: the only remaining Papal State; independence recognized by the Italian government in 1929; contains St Peter's Basilica and Square and the Vatican; the spiritual and administrative centre of the Roman Catholic Church. Languages: Italian and Latin. Currency: euro. Pop: 836 (2013 est). Area: 44 hectares (109 acres)

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Example Sentences

Margarita Castellon, leaving Miami’s bustling Versailles restaurant after lunch, said she attended Leo’s audience in Vatican City last month while on vacation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The basilica -- located in Vatican City, the world's smallest state -- contains the tomb of St Peter, one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ and the first pope.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

Vance flew to Vatican City for a visit with the Pope over the weekend.

From Salon • Apr. 24, 2025

This is when the College of Cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City for the conclave.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2025

On the morning of August 1, 1985, Colonel Vitaly Yurchenko informed the staff at the Soviet embassy compound in Rome that he would be spending the morning touring the museum exhibits in Vatican City.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau