The Vatican City is an independent city-state enclaved within Rome, Italy. It is the smallest country in the world, both in area and population, covering about 44 hectares. The Vatican serves as the spiritual and administrative center of the Roman Catholic Church and is the residence of the Pope, the church's leader. Established as a sovereign state in 1929 through the Lateran Treaty, the Vatican is home to significant religious and cultural sites, including St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. It also houses the Vatican Museums, which contain an extensive collection of art and historical artifacts.