101 Surprising Facts About St. Peter's and the Vatican

Book excerpt: What do you really know about Vatican City? The Vatican, comprising the Apostolic Palace, St. Peter’s Basilica, and various other buildings, serves as the headquarters of the Catholic Church. It has done so for nearly two millennium -- ever since the first Pope, St. Peter, made it his home. Thousands of Catholics flock to the Vatican and its iconic basilica each year. Even if you haven’t visited you’ve likely watched with bated breath for smoke to rise from behind the cupola during the election of a new pope, or have laid eyes on the new pontiff when he emerged from the balcony for the first time. But what do you really know about this great basilica and the city that houses it? Here, Father Jeffrey Kirby takes you on a whirlwind tour of this little country (yes, Vatican City is its own country, Fact # 2) and uncovers the secrets and surprising facts about the city, and its famous church.