The Vatican is an enclave separated from the Eternal City by a high wall; its gates locked every evening and reopened at 6 a.m. The clergy is one group of people who live here, most of whom are in the service of the Holy See, while the others are the officials of the state. Thank you! The key challenges included a wave of migration that has calmed down today, but for two years this was the topic that was of most concern to Italy and the Mediterranean. The Vatican is an independent city-state which was founded in accordance with the Lateran Treaty (Agreement) between the Italian State and the Roman Catholic Church in 1929. I feel at home in the Vatican. The close ties have remained for years and I treat this sequence of extraordinary events in my life as a great sign of Providence. With the entire country nestled inside the Capital city of Rome, located east of the River Tiber, its the smallest sovereign state in the world in both area and population. The whole country gets locked down, literally. The world freezes here; the pulsating life of the Eternal City reaches us from outside, but it remains in a different dimension. Italian, Swiss, Argentinian, and other nationalities are common among the population that resides here. Although, it is not only the Pope who resides there, officials and other members working within its walls serve a number of jobs relating to the church. See cost of living, internet speed, weather and other metrics about Vatican City … It has a total area of 0,44 km² and inside its wall live approximately 1000 people. Iwona Flisikowska: You live in a place with an extraordinary air, behind the walls of the Vatican. Citizens who are born here usually don’t remain there their whole lives as most move to the Vatican in regard to a job with the church. Every day I remember that the Vatican is not only a microscopic country, where I buy my groceries, go with my children to periodic check-ups with a pediatrician or ride a bike in my free time, but it is also the heart of our faith, the place where the leaders of the Church live. The portal Vatican News uses technical or similar cookies to make navigation easier and guarantee the use of the services. If you’re reading this article, it’s thanks to the generosity of people like you, who have made Aleteia possible. Pope Symmachus constructed the palace to serve as an alternative residence to the Lateran Palace. This means the Vatican, although small, has a large diversity of citizens, from Italian, Swiss, Argentinian and other nationalities. The coverage of papal journeys is an extremely important area of my work. We feel the care and respect that men have for us, especially when you consider that 110 of the small number of inhabitants are soldiers. Little did she know she was talking to her future husband …. Popes did not live at the Vatican until the 14th century. She explains that life in the Vatican is special. I always entrust to God’s Providence the key matters of my life. Vatican climate is subtropical Mediterranean. Vatican City citizens Among the women who have citizenship in Vatican City, there is one officer in the military, two teachers (one teaches in high school, the other teaches in kindergarten), and one academic. That is why you have to be modest and calm down after dark. With strict rules and regulations concerning citizenship however there are few who get to enjoy such a privilege, so how many people actually live in the Vatican City? Its territory is only 0.44 square kilometers. Of course, always in moderation! Their marriage was made official by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who would later become Pope Benedict XVI. Saying that the same rules applied to visitors must also be abided by its citizens, so no bare shoulders or short skirts are to be worn around the city, something which Magdalena says she barely thinks about anymore. Unexpectedly, I answered a phone call and received a proposal. We cannot walk on the streets of the Vatican with bare shoulders, in short skirts or in shorts, even if summer in Rome is unbearable and the temperature exceeds 40 degrees (104 F) in the shade. Some citizens don’t even live within the city’s walls as they are diplomatic officials, who spend all their time in other countries. The residents are those that work in the city itself and in some cases their family members. For my daughters, who were born here, life in the Vatican is something pretty natural: they ride roller skates or bicycles, meet the pope during a walk as well as take part in solemn celebrations. I closely followed the tragedy of Syrian refugees in the camps in Lebanon and Jordan. And technically, no-one can be born in the Vatican as there are no hospitals! .css-tadcwa:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}Iwona Flisikowska - @media screen and (max-width:767px){.css-ij9gf6 .date-separator{display:none;}.css-ij9gf6 .date-updated{display:block;width:100%;}}published on 06/18/18. 20 million users around the world read Aleteia.org every month, Aleteia is published every day in eight languages: English, French, Arabic, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, and Slovenian, Each month, readers view more than 50 million pages, Nearly 4 million people follow Aleteia on social media, Each month, we publish 2,450 articles and around 40 videos, We have 60 full time staff and approximately 400 collaborators (writers, translators, photographers, etc. But she also says it’s very normal in that it is also the place where she purchases her groceries, teaches her children to ride their bikes and walks to work. Vatican City is the centre of all Catholic procedures, so the majority of citizens living here work directly for the church. Vatican TV is the national broadcaster of the state of Vatican City. Interestingly, over 300 cameras are located in different nooks and crannies of this smallest country of the world. I am often quite fortunate to be on the same plane with Pope Francis. Cupola of St. Peter Basilica - Vatican City. I must admit that I am an ambitious person: I have three university diplomas and know several languages, so I thought the challenge was well worth it, if only to test myself. Being 1 of a mere 30 women in the world to hold Vatican Citizenship, Maddalena has naturally received much media interest, further encouraged by her role as presenter and journalist. We also have close and sincere contact with Pope Benedict XVI. The popes controlled the Papal States … I think we can safely compare it to a royal court, for example. The languages include Italian, Latin, French, and various other languages as pertaining to the current residents. For those who wish to move to the Vatican must have their citizenship approved by the Pope, or papal authority. +39 069 028 0651Via Venti Settembre, 118, 00187 Roma RM, Italy (By appointment only), © Copyright 2021 | Sightseeing Tours Italy |, Rome Day Tour with Vatican & Colosseum €101. Her extraordinary life story, linked to the Eternal City, began in the year 2000, during World Youth Day with John Paul II. In this small state lives the Pope, in the Apostolic palace surrounded by beautiful gardens. As of 2020 it has a population of 801 people, according to the latest estimates from the UN’s World Population Prospect’s. If you want to know more click here. …. The Vatican said on Tuesday that four people had so far tested positive inside the city-state but those it listed do not reside in the guesthouse where the 83-year-old pope lives. Is it really a different world? Does this give you a sense of fulfillment? This is a large square in front of St. Peter's Basilica, also called the Vatican Basilica. to the faithful attending Holy Mass. Both the current (latest) image, and the most recent daylight image are available for each webcam. By closing this banner you consent to the use of cookies. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis celebrated daily televised Mass at his residence at the Vatican daily until May 17. That is why it is natural for me to follow the rules that apply, e.g. We helped illegal migrants to come ashore several dozen nautical miles off the coast of Libya. These were dramatic scenes. Visiting the official website of the Holy See one can browse: the Magisterium of the Supreme Pontiffs (from Pope Leo XIII to Pope Francis); the fundamental texts of Catholicism in various languages (the Sacred Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the documents of the Second Vatican Council and the Code of Canon Law); the documents of Dicasteries, Bodies and Institutions of the Roman Curia The greatest privilege of living behind the Vatican walls is the permanent presence of Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict. It strengthens our moral character, which seems to me to be extremely important in today’s world. As a Catholic herself, Magdalena is not shy about sharing her life in the Vatican, choosing to use her unique position to bring people closer to the Catholic Church. We are at home, but at the same time we are within ancient walls, in the shadow of the Apostolic Palace, near the House of St. Martha, where Pope Francis lives. And I was close to Pope Francis. In the fifth century, a papal palace was constructed near the old St. Peters Basilica. Furthermore, technical and analysis cookies from third parties may be used. And technically no-one can be born in Vatican City as there are no hospitals. About 3,500 people reside in these buildings in 2011. Another woman who lives in Vatican City was Magdalena Wolińska-Riedi, who is a Polish translator and wife of one of the Swiss Guards. Live streaming views of St. Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro), in the Vatican City, geographically located within the city limits of Rome. Cardinals who live in Vatican City or Rome as well as diplomats of the Holy See are also considered citizens. Please use independent sources of information. Yes, everyday life behind the Bronze Door is a completely different world. I think we can safely compare it to a royal court, for example. As a WYD volunteer, walking through St. Peter’s Square, Magda asked one of the Swiss Guard for directions. Quite naturally, e.g. Climate. Journalism has become your extraordinary job and passion. Blessed Epiphany chalk was used to protect ho... 20-year-old filmmaker wins award for powerful... © Copyright Aleteia SAS all rights reserved. Support Aleteia with as little as $1. On such occasions we all meet in a beautiful courtyard, where the guards normally practice their drill on a daily basis. Such extraordinary experiences give me great satisfaction and make me feel fulfilled professionally. I have always wanted to bring the pope, the Church and the Vatican closer to the audience, to my compatriots, but it has never ceased to fascinate me to be able to spotlight other issues, too. I have lived here for 15 years and I know every single stone. The Vatican Palace in the Vatican City is the official residence of the Pope of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis live-streamed Holy Mass from the Vatican and lead in praying the Our Father amid the coronavirus pandemic. Due to the unique circumstances of Vatican City, there is an array of different citizens living within. We need you. What is your daily life in the Vatican like? Magdalena’s openness means more of us get to see what the Vatican City is like for a local, and she’s not alone! Every night the gates to the city are closed and the whole place goes on lockdown until 6 am when the doors are reopened again. Despite headlines about a powerful “gay lobby” within the Vatican, and a new Pope promising reform, the Catholic Church’s gay cardinals, monks, … ). Google Search for: Hotels - Restaurants - Shopping - Sights - Maps - Images. But surely, like every woman, I am happiest because of my two daughters: 8-year-old Mary and 10-year-old Melania. Pope Eugene III sponsored the construction of a second fortified palace. Cardinals who live in Vatican City or Rome, as well as diplomats of the Holy See, are also considered citizens. Vatican City , officially the Vatican City State (Italian: Stato della Città del Vaticano; Latin: Status Civitatis Vaticanae), is the Holy See's independent city state, an enclave within Rome, Italy. We see each other when Francis drives by in a car for meetings and audiences at the Apostolic Palace and when he is coming back from his journeys. The pair have two daughters who were both baptized by Pope Benedict. Vatican City uses Italian in its legislation and official communications. The palace is open to the public, but visitors have to book in advance. Here you can see the latest view from 4 live webcams in the destination of Vatican City, Vatican City. First, the head of Vatican City and the Catholic church calls this city their home, and of course the Pope! I did the same in this case. The city-state is considered one of the most closed and the … Getty By the way, this army is the smallest and the oldest in the world. Prayer to the Father, inspired by Jesus' fath... How to bless your home with Epiphany chalk. She gained her citizenship when she married a Swiss Guard whose job it is to protect the pope. And we all feel that we are one community: a group of Vaticanistas and the whole papal entourage that accompanies him — cardinals, bishops and the pope’s bodyguards. On those days all shops and offices are closed. Their marriage was made official by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who would later become Pope Benedict XVI. However, for more than a century, the pope — as head of Vatican City State, which History says is the world's smallest country — has lived within what's called the Apostolic Palace. The Holy Father said, “In these days, I will offer Mass for those who are sick from the coronavirus epidemic, for the doctors, nurses, volunteers who are helping them, for their families, for the elderly in nursing homes, for prisoners”.Watch the Magdalena explains that this is the safest place on earth for her and her children as she sees the care and respect that everyone has for one another in the city, as well as the permanent presence of the Pope who can often be seen driving around. Life in the Vatican has been described as “the greatest privilege” by Polish-Vatican journalist Magdalena Wolinska-Riedi who has lived and worked in the Vatican City since 2003. The entire city covers just over 100 acres, equalling to about 0.44 square kilometres. A number of jobs include cardinals, guards, nuns, and members of the clergy. Major additions and decorations of the palace took place under the leadership of various pope… As a result there is a mix of languages spoken in the Vatican, predominately Italian of course, but also Latin, French and other languages as pertaining to the current residents. Vatican City's population is around 800. I visited Lampedusa several times and went to the open sea with an Italian police patrol. It was he, as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who blessed our marriage 15 years ago and it was he also who baptized our two daughters. Whilst it receives over 5 million visitors a year, not everyone who wanders its streets is a tourist. The Vatican is an enclave separated from the Eternal City by a high wall; its gates locked every evening and reopened at 6 a.m. ... or Vatican gendarmes, who do not live in the Vatican… Our live webcam from Rome’s Piazza Risorgimento offers users an incredible view of St. Peter’s cupola.The dome is the tallest in the world measuring approximately 136 meters in height and circa 41 meters in diameter. It is the smallest independent country in the world and the country with the lowest population. Pentecost is a holiday here, as well as the memorial of the pope’s patron saint and the anniversary of the Holy Father’s election to the pontificate. The Vatican City welcomes all visitors with open arms, you don’t have to be Catholic to attend any of the Pope’s services either. Unique to millions of Catholics and people around the world, it is at the same time the most special place for me and for my loved ones. 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