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The Holy See, under the absolute authority of the pope of the Roman Catholic church, is the smallest independent country in the world; established in 1929 under terms of the Lateran Treaty. It is surrounded by medieval and Renaissance walls and has six gates. Vatican city has the population of 880 people, only. The Vatican's museums are outstanding and the Vatican Library has a priceless collection of ancient manuscripts and more than 1 million bound volumes. Many of the most renowned artists and architects of the Italian Renaissance were commissioned by popes to work on the Vatican's buildings. The Papal Palace complex contains more than 1,000 rooms and houses the papal apartments, the government offices of the Roman Catholic church, several chapels and museums, and a library. |
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