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Holy See: Quick Facts

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Last updated
Pope Leo tells Villanova and Notre Dame basketball teams he is neutral. Prevost has other ideas • Oct. 31, 2026, 5:37 PM ET (AP)
Leo XIV has become the first pope in history to vote in a US general election • Oct. 30, 2026, 2:13 PM ET (AP)
Pope Leo XIV urges humanitarian cooperation between Ukraine and Russia during call with Zelenskyy • Oct. 19, 2026, 1:12 PM ET (AP)
An American pope brings American-style governance to the Vatican, even in a health crisis • Oct. 17, 2026, 3:03 AM ET (AP)

Facts

Areas Of Involvement Roman Catholicism • government
Related People Joe Donnelly

Photos

St. Peter's Square
A pyramid diagram illustrating the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church, with levels from top to bottom: Pope, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, and Laypeople and Consecrated Religious, each with a brief description of their roles.
Infographic featuring a central illustration of a pope, surrounded by labeled facts such as the total number of popes, most common papal names, oldest and youngest elected, longest and shortest reigns, number of popes made saints, official titles, and origins by country.
Map of southern Europe highlighting Italy and surrounding countries, with a red star marking the location of Vatican City within Rome as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The map shows major seas, neighboring nations, and provides geographic context for Vatican City's position in central Italy.
Vatican City: St. Peter's Basilica
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