What is in the middle of St Peter's Square?


What is in the middle of St Peter's Square? At the centre of the square is an ancient Egyptian obelisk, erected at the current site in 1586.


Does the pope live in the Vatican?

The Vatican palace is the residence of the pope within the city walls. The Holy See is the name given to the government of the Roman Catholic Church, which is led by the pope as the bishop of Rome. As such, the Holy See's authority extends over Catholics throughout the world.


Are all popes buried at the Vatican?

Although not all popes are buried at the Vatican Grottoes, there are over 90 papal tombs inside. Some of them include Pius VI Braschi, who was captured by the French and died a prisoner in 1799, John Paul I Luciani, whose reign lasted for just 33 days, Adrian IV, the only English pope, and many more.