Vatican City, Rome, Italy Jul 23, 2025

Vatican City, Rome, Italy

In the middle of Rome, Italy, lies an entire country of its own: Vatican City. At less than 0.5 square kilometres, it"s the smallest independent nation in the world, yet its reach spans centuries and continents. Home to the pope and the spiritual centre of the Roman Catholic Church, this walled enclave is a blend of art, history and devotion. At its core stands St Peter"s Basilica. Seen in the distance in today"s image, this Renaissance masterpiece is built over what is believed to be the tomb of Saint Peter, the first Bishop of Rome. With its soaring dome dominating the skyline, the basilica is one of the largest churches in the world. Just beyond the basilica lies St Peter"s Square, where thousands gather for papal blessings.

© RudyBalasko/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Hello, is it tea you’re looking for?
Stealthy pollinators
Jul 23, 2024Methoni Castle, Messinia, Greece

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Feb 9, 2026Amur leopard cat, Russia
Aug 29, 2024Castellfollit de la Roca, Catalonia, Spain
Check out these ‘sea cows’
Apr 27, 2024Leucistic Annas Hummingbird
Dont just fly, darling. Soar!
Jul 5, 2025Tour de France
Dec 7, 2024Orchha Fort complex, Orchha, Madhya Pradesh
Where did you drop the fish, son?
Apr 15, 2025World Art Day
Nov 12, 2024Vineyards in Varnhalt, Black Forest, Germany
Apr 1, 2026The Great Stupa at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh
Jun 12, 2025Chisos Mountains, Big Bend National Park, Texas, United States
Black-and-white bovines
A gorge-ous place to drop in
Jan 12, 2026Eurasian otter and pup, Estonia
Jan 28, 2024Channel Country, Australia
Magnified moss
Feb 6, 2025Scottish Blackface sheep, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Oct 3, 2025Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Nov 11, 2023Chinese fishing nets in Kochi, India
City of ice
Dec 1, 2024Antarctica Day
Mar 23, 2026World Meteorological Day
Sep 16, 2023Splügen Pass, Switzerland
Aug 30, 2024International Whale Shark Day
Apr 12, 2024Arches National Park, Utah, USA
Mar 22, 2024World Water Day
Nov 21, 2024Lion cubs, South Africa
Celebrating the tropics
Where are these magnificent cliffs?