Vatican City, the smallest sovereign state in the world, is the spiritual and administrative epicenter of the Roman Catholic Church. A walled enclave within Rome, Italy, it is a treasure trove of monumental art and architecture, home to St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums. As the seat of the Papacy, it combines deep religious relevance with incalculable artistic heritage, attracting millions of pilgrims and tourists each year.