What animals live in Vatican City?

Vatican City is the smallest country in the world — barely bigger than a few city blocks inside Rome, Italy. Because it is almost entirely buildings, plazas, and gardens, there are no wild forests or fields. But the Vatican Gardens do have birds like sparrows, pigeons, and the occasional robin that hop around the old stone paths and fountains. Cats have famously roamed the ruins and gardens of Rome for centuries, and a few find their way into quiet Vatican corners too. Lizards sun themselves on warm walls, and butterflies visit the garden flowers in spring and summer. It is a small slice of nature tucked inside one of the most famous places on earth — where the Pope lives and where millions of people come to visit Saint Peter's Basilica every year.

What do kids eat in Vatican City?

Vatican City is the smallest country in the world, tucked right inside the city of Rome, Italy. That means the kids who live there — mostly children of Swiss Guards and Vatican workers — eat wonderful Italian food. Think fresh pasta like spaghetti and rigatoni, crispy thin-crust pizza, creamy gelato, and crusty bread dipped in olive oil. Because Vatican City is so tiny, families often walk just a few steps into Rome to visit the markets and bakeries. A favorite treat is a cornetto, which is a flaky pastry a bit like a croissant, often filled with jam or chocolate and eaten for breakfast. Meals in Italian culture are slow and shared together around a table — which is actually something the Bible celebrates too, since sharing a meal has always been a way people show love and belonging.

How do people say hello in Vatican City?

Vatican City is the smallest country in the world, tucked right inside the city of Rome, Italy. The official languages there are Italian and Latin, so most people say hello by saying 'Ciao' (say it like 'chow') or the more formal 'Buongiorno' (bwon-JOR-no), which means 'good day' in Italian. Latin is an ancient language that most people don't speak in daily life anymore, but the Catholic Church still uses it in many official documents and ceremonies inside Vatican City. So you might also hear 'Salve' (SAL-vay), which is a Latin greeting that Romans used thousands of years ago — the same language that was spoken when Jesus walked the earth and when the early church was spreading the gospel across the Roman Empire.

What sports or games do kids play in Vatican City?

Vatican City is the smallest country in the world — so small it has almost no room for sports fields! The few hundred people who actually live inside its walls are mostly priests, nuns, and Swiss Guards. Children of workers there often play football (that's soccer) in small courtyards, just like kids all across Italy do. Because Vatican City is surrounded entirely by Rome, kids connected to it really grow up enjoying Italian culture — street football, cycling, and games like 'calcio storico,' an old-fashioned rough-and-tumble ball game Italy has played for centuries. Rome's parks and piazzas are right outside the gates, so city life and Italian traditions shape how those kids play every day.

What's the weather like in Vatican City?

Vatican City sits right in the heart of Rome, Italy, so it has what explorers call a Mediterranean climate. That means warm, dry summers and mild, rainy winters — a bit like southern California if you've ever heard of that. In summer, temperatures can climb up to around 90°F (32°C), so the Swiss Guards standing at the gates in their striped uniforms have a tough job on hot days! Winter is cooler, around 40–50°F (5–10°C), and that's when you might see pilgrims huddled in coats while visiting St. Peter's Square.

Tell me a fun fact about Vatican City.

Vatican City is the smallest country in the entire world — and we mean the whole world! It fits inside the city of Rome, Italy, and is only about 110 acres, which is smaller than many city parks. Yet it has its own post office, its own radio station, and even its own little train station. The Swiss Guard has protected Vatican City for over 500 years, making them one of the oldest military units still on duty anywhere on earth. They wear those famous striped uniforms of blue, red, and yellow, and every single guard must be a Swiss citizen. It is a pretty remarkable piece of history walking around in a very small place.

What is school like for kids in Vatican City?

Vatican City is the smallest country in the world — so small it fits inside the city of Rome, Italy! Because of that, there are no regular schools for children inside Vatican City itself. The few families who live there send their kids to schools in Rome, just outside the walls. Most children in Vatican City are the kids of Swiss Guards or Vatican workers, and they grow up speaking Italian and learning in Italian schools nearby. Rome has a long history of Catholic education, so many of those schools mix regular subjects like math and history with religious teaching from the Catholic Church. This is actually a great reminder that most people in Vatican City follow Catholic tradition — and missionaries have a heart for everyone, including Catholics, to know Jesus personally through reading His Word, the Bible, and trusting Him as Savior.

Who are the unreached people in Vatican City?

Vatican City is the world's smallest country, sitting right inside the city of Rome in Italy. Almost everyone there is Catholic — priests, nuns, cardinals, and the Pope himself. In one way, it seems like a very Christian place. But here is something worth thinking about: being part of a religious organization is not the same thing as personally trusting Jesus as Savior. Many people who work and live in Vatican City follow rituals and traditions, but may never have heard the simple gospel — that we are sinners, that Jesus died and rose again to save us, and that we can know Him personally by faith, not by religious works. Missionaries and local evangelical Christians in Rome pray that people inside Vatican City, and the millions of Catholic pilgrims who visit each year, would come to know Jesus not just as a religious figure, but as their living Lord and Savior.

How can I pray for the people of Vatican City?

Vatican City is the smallest country in the world, tucked right inside the city of Rome, Italy. It is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, and many of the people who live and work there are priests, nuns, and church officials. Even in a place full of religious activity, people still need to personally know Jesus as their Savior — not just know about Him. Here is how you can pray for Vatican City: Ask God that the people there would read the Bible for themselves and trust in Jesus alone to save them — not rituals or good works. Pray that any true believers working inside Vatican City would be bold in sharing the gospel with those around them. Pray that God would raise up faithful Christian witnesses in Rome who can reach people connected to this tiny but influential place. God loves every single person there, and no heart is too religious or too closed for Him to reach.

What is a holiday or celebration in Vatican City?

One of the biggest celebrations in Vatican City is Easter — called Pasqua in Italian. The Pope leads special worship services in St. Peter's Square, and thousands of people travel from all over the world to be there. For Christians, Easter marks the day Jesus rose from the dead, which is the very heart of the gospel. Another special day is the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29th. Peter and Paul were two of the earliest leaders of the church, and both gave their lives for their faith in Jesus. Vatican City honors them with a Mass — a worship service — and the Pope often gives new church leaders their official symbols of ministry on that day. It is a reminder that the church Jesus started has been passing on the good news for nearly two thousand years.

What language do people speak in Vatican City?

Great question to ask while exploring Vatican City! The official language there is Latin — yes, the same ancient language used by the Roman Empire thousands of years ago. It is used for official Church documents and ceremonies. But the people who actually live and work inside Vatican City mostly speak Italian day to day. Vatican City is the smallest country in the world, tucked right inside the city of Rome, Italy. Because people come there from all over the globe — priests, nuns, scholars, and visitors — you might hear dozens of languages being spoken in its tiny streets and grand buildings. It is a remarkable reminder that the message of Jesus has spread into nearly every language on earth, just as He said it would.

What's a famous place to visit in Vatican City?

St. Peter's Basilica is probably the most famous place in all of Vatican City. It is an enormous church that took over 100 years to build, and its dome is so large you can see it from many parts of Rome. Millions of visitors walk through its doors every year. Right next to it is St. Peter's Square, a huge open plaza with a tall ancient Egyptian obelisk right in the center. The Vatican Museums are nearby too, and they hold one of the most visited painted ceilings in the world — the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo over 500 years ago. These places remind us that people have been thinking about God and building things in His honor for a very long time, even if the gospel message is what truly matters most.

Vatican City — Kids Missions Explorer

Swiss Guard Horse

The ceremonial horses ridden by the Papal cavalry in historic processions are among the few large animals ever seen inside Vatican City's ancient walls.

European Starling

Flocks of starlings swirl in massive formations called murmurations over Vatican City each autumn, darkening the Roman sky in swirling, shifting clouds.

Stone Marten

This small, secretive mammal has been spotted slipping through the Vatican Gardens at night, making it one of the rarest wild residents of the world's smallest country.

Supplì

These crispy Roman rice balls filled with melted mozzarella and tomato sauce are a favorite street snack enjoyed by Vatican workers and visitors alike.

Cacio e Pepe

A simple Roman pasta made with only aged Pecorino cheese and black pepper, its sharp, creamy flavor has been eaten in this region for centuries.

Maritozzo

This soft, sweet Roman bun split open and filled with a generous mound of whipped cream is a classic breakfast pastry eaten at the small cafes near St. Peter's Square.

Vatican City

Things you should know about Vatican City

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

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Missions in Vatican City

Pray for Vatican City