VATICAN CITY

The Vatican is actually recognized as a city-state (and enclave) within the city of Rome. It’s governed under the 'Holy See' with its own sovereign laws and jurisdiction, made official by the Lateran Treaty in 1929.

My timing was strange, as my visit coincided with Pope Benedict XVI giving his weekly Wednesday address to the crowd and wheeling around in his 'Pope-mobile'.

Sadly, because of so many people being here, lines to get into the Basilica were insane, so I had to miss the Sistine Chapel. Bummer.