People visit the Pauline Chapel, where the icon of Madonna and Child Jesus is displayed, inside the Vatican’s Basilica of St. Mary Major, in Rome Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023.

Vatican City is the world’s smallest fully independent nation-state. It is ruled by the pope, who is the head of the Holy See, the central government of the Catholic Church.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Over 35 million pilgrims are expected to visit Rome in 2025 seeking forgiveness of sins and a chance to see the pope. Skip to content Mastodon Covering the world of religion.

Vatican City is a city-state, the world’s smallest country, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The independent nation is ruled by the pope as a monarch and has its own government. Regarding size ...

Instead, he chose St. Mary Major, a basilica on the other side of Rome. It's the first time in more than a century that a pope will be buried outside the Vatican walls.

By The Way How to navigate Rome during the Vatican’s Jubilee celebrations. The city is about to be packed with events, exhibitions and pilgrims for a rare Holy Year.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — After the pomp of his funeral in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday (April 26), Pope Francis’ casket will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at the Papal Basilica of St ...

Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday, has broken with tradition when it comes to where he is being laid to rest – choosing a light-filled basilica instead of the grottoes of the Vatican ...