Vatican City: flag, capital, currency and history

Vatican City, officially the Vatican City State, is a country in Southern Europe, Europe. Its capital is Vatican City. The currency is the Euro. Languages spoken include Italian and Latin.

Quick facts about Vatican City

Official name: Vatican City State
Capital: Vatican City
Region: Europe, Southern Europe
Currency: Euro (EUR, €)
Languages: Italian, Latin
Calling code: +3
Internet domain: .va
Area: 0 km² (0 sq mi)
Land borders: Italy
Demonym: Vatican

Flag of Vatican City

Download the flag of Vatican City as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇻🇦.

SVG (vector)

History of Vatican City

Vatican City lies on the site associated with the burial of Saint Peter in Rome, where a basilica was built in the 4th century. For centuries the popes ruled the Papal States across central Italy. These territories were absorbed into the Kingdom of Italy during unification, ending with the capture of Rome in 1870, after which the popes withdrew into the Vatican. The Lateran Treaty of 1929 between the Holy See and Italy created the independent Vatican City State. It is an elective monarchy led by the pope and is the seat of the Catholic Church's government.

Key dates

4th centuryConstruction of the first Saint Peter's Basilica begins under Emperor Constantine.
756The Donation of Pepin helps establish the Papal States.
1506Construction of the current Saint Peter's Basilica begins.
1870Italian forces capture Rome, ending the temporal power of the popes.
1929The Lateran Treaty establishes Vatican City as an independent state.

A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.