The is the smallest independent state in the world and the residence of the spiritual leadership of the Roman Catholic Church.
Its territory is completely surrounded by the Italian capital Rome, while priests and nuns of many nationalities make up much of the resident population.
The has been headed by Pope Benedict XVI since Pope John Paul II died in 2005 after a 26-year pontificate.
OverviewOverviewFactsLeadersMediaPope John Paul II was in office at a time of tremendous upheaval in Eastern Europe, including his homeland of Poland.
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He preached dialogue and reconciliation, between former political opponents and also between different religions. During a visit to Israel the Pope expressed sorrow for the history of anti-Semitism within the Catholic church.
He also sought to heal rifts with other churches within the Christian faith. Some of these moves have been successful, others less so.
But critics accused the 's social policy of being out-of-step with modern reality.
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