By Thomas J. Craughwell

Vatican City: Where the pope works

Vatican City has a population of 821 (as of 2007), plus approximately 3000 workers who live outside the city. The residents and some of the outside employees are granted a Vatican City passport and citizenship.

Pope Benedict enjoys Vatican City citizenship, but has kept his German citizenship, too.

The pope is the chief executive of the world's smallest sovereign state, covering 108.7 acres.

As of 2005, 5,120 telephone lines were in use in Vatican City.

The Vatican broadcasts on four AM, three FM and two shortwave radio stations, as well as one broadcast television station.

Pope Benedict is defended by approximately 150 Swiss Guards, all of whom are unmarried men, Catholic, possessing Swiss citizenship and a professional or high school diploma. Furthermore, a member must be at least 5 feet, 9 inches tall, between the ages of 19-30, and have completed his Swiss military training. Pope Julius II founded the Swiss Guard in 1506.

For speedy transportation, Vatican City has one heliport and one railway station. Vatican City's railway line runs on 0.53 miles of rarely used track, and links to the Italian railway system at Rome's St. Peter's Station.

Pope Benedict lives in 10 rooms on the top floor of the Apostolic Palace. In 2006 he had his apartment renovated. The electrical wiring, plumbing and heating system were replaced and brought up to code; and a new private library was built for the pope's 20,000 books.

-- Thomas J. Craughwell