The Vatican, the heart of the Catholic Church, is a place filled with mystery and intrigue. While millions of Catholics worldwide look to this tiny city-state for spiritual guidance, there’s a lot more to the Vatican than meets the eye. Behind its ancient walls and ornate buildings lie fascinating secrets and little-known facts that even the most devout Catholics might not know.
I’ve researched Vatican history and uncovered 21 surprising facts that will make you see this sacred place in a whole new light.
The Vatican has its own currency
The Vatican mints its own euros with the Pope’s face on them. These coins are super rare and prized by collectors. You can use them in Italy, but most people keep them as souvenirs. The Vatican also prints special stamps that are popular with stamp collectors worldwide.
There’s a secret passageway to escape
The Passetto di Borgo is a hidden corridor connecting the Vatican to Castel Sant’Angelo. It was built as an escape route for popes in danger. Pope Clement VII used it to flee during an attack in 1527. Today, it’s closed to the public but occasionally opens for special tours.
The Vatican has the world’s shortest railway
At just 300 meters long, the Vatican Railway is the shortest national rail system in the world. It was built in 1934 to transport goods and now has one station. The track is mainly used for special occasions, like when the Pope travels by train.
There’s a secret archive with miles of shelves
The Vatican Secret Archives hold important historical documents. Despite its name, it’s not really secret – just private. The archive has about 53 miles of shelving and documents dating back to the 8th century. Only qualified researchers can access it with special permission.
The Swiss Guard has strict requirements
The colorful Swiss Guard protects the Pope and the Vatican. To join, you must be a single Catholic Swiss male between 19 and 30 years old and at least 5’8″ tall. Guards must serve for at least two years and learn to use traditional weapons like the halberd.
The Vatican has its own telescope
The Vatican’s state-of-the-art telescope is in Arizona, not Rome, as some might expect. Run by Jesuit astronomers, it ranks among the most advanced observatories globally. The Catholic Church’s interest in astronomy isn’t new – it stretches back centuries. This longstanding passion is further evidenced by the presence of an observatory at the Pope’s summer residence.
There’s a centuries-old ban on beards
Pope Clement VII started a no-beard rule for clergy in 1624. This was to distinguish Catholic clergy from Eastern Orthodox priests who often had beards. The rule stuck around for centuries but has relaxed in recent years. Some priests now grow beards, especially missionaries in cold climates.
The Vatican Bank is one of the world’s most secretive
The Vatican Bank, officially called the Institute for the Works of Religion, is an exceptionally secretive financial institution. It maintains a policy of not disclosing its financial records and exclusively provides services to Catholic organizations, religious officials, and those employed by the Vatican. In recent times, however, the bank has been making efforts to increase its transparency. These initiatives aim to align the institution’s practices more closely with global banking norms.
There’s a centuries-old recycling tradition
The Vatican has been recycling building materials for centuries. Many Vatican buildings contain stones and marble from ancient Roman structures. This practice, called spolia, was common in medieval times. It’s a unique way the Vatican preserves history while creating new buildings.
The Pope has a personal ATM
The Vatican Bank installed an ATM just for the Pope in 2013. It’s in the Vatican and has instructions in Latin. This unique feature shows how the Vatican blends old traditions with modern conveniences. It’s a symbol of how the Church adapts to changing times while keeping its roots.
The Vatican’s wine consumption is record-breaking
The Vatican consumes more wine per person than any other country. This is partly due to communion wine used in masses. But it’s also because the Vatican has a small population and hosts many dinners and events. The wine cellar at the Vatican is said to be impressive.
There’s a secret underground city
Beneath the Vatican are ancient catacombs and burial sites. Some date back to the 1st century AD. These underground areas include pagan and Christian tombs. Parts of this underground city are open for tours, but many areas remain off-limits to the public.
The Vatican has its own pharmacy
The Vatican Pharmacy is one of the busiest in the world. It serves Vatican residents and employees, but also many Romans. People shop here because it often has medicines that are not yet available in Italy. The pharmacy dates back to 1874 and is run by friars.
There’s a centuries-old tradition of door-sealing
When a pope dies, a special ceremony involves sealing his apartment door. This tradition dates back centuries. The apartment is unsealed only when the next pope is elected. It’s a symbolic way of closing one chapter and preparing for the next in the Church’s leadership.
The Vatican has a football league
The Vatican City Championship is a small football league with eight teams. Players are usually Vatican employees or members of the Swiss Guard. The league started in 1972 and has its own cup competition. It’s a fun way for Vatican workers to build community and stay active.
There’s a secret supermarket
The Vatican has its own supermarket, but it’s not open to the public. Only Vatican employees, residents, and diplomats can shop there. It sells products at lower prices than in Rome because it’s duty-free. The supermarket is a perk for those who work in the world’s smallest country.
There’s a centuries-old tradition of smoke signals
The famous white smoke that announces a new pope comes from a special chimney. This tradition started in 1870. Black smoke means no decision, while white smoke means a new pope is chosen. The Vatican keeps the exact smoke recipe a secret to maintain the tradition’s mystery.
The Vatican has its own fire department
The Vatican Fire Corps, or Corpo dei Vigili del Fuoco, protects the city-state. It was founded in 1941 and has about 60 firefighters. They’re specially trained to protect the Vatican’s priceless art and artifacts. The department also helps with emergencies in Rome when needed.
The Vatican has its own amateur sports team
Santa Sede Sport, the Vatican’s sports association, was founded in 1972. It includes teams in various sports like football, cricket, and athletics. The team competes in friendly matches and some international competitions. It’s a way for the Vatican to promote unity through sports.
There’s a secret Vatican Necropolis under St. Peter’s Basilica
This ancient burial ground dates back to the 1st century AD. It was discovered in the 1940s during renovations. The cemetery contains pagan and Christian tombs, including what’s believed to be St. Peter’s tomb. Only a limited number of visitors are allowed each day.
The Vatican has the highest crime rate per capita
This surprising statistic is due to the Vatican’s tiny population. With only about 825 residents, even a few minor crimes can skew the statistics. Most crimes are petty thefts from tourists. The Vatican’s police force, the Gendarmerie Corps, handles these issues efficiently.
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