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Period: 318 to 322
Old Peter's Basilica
Construction began by orders of the Roman Emperor Constantine I between 318 and 322 and took about 40 years to complete. Over the next twelve centuries, the church gradually gained importance. Eventually becoming a major place of pilgrimage in Rome. Then it burnt down in fire. -
Treaty
Lateran Treaty established the independent state of the Vatican City, granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy, Vatican City became the smallest nation in the world. It was signed by Benito Mussolini. Italy in return recognized papal sovereignty over the Vatican City, a minute territory of 44 hectares (109 acres), and secured full independence for the pope. -
Railway Station
The Vatican Railway was opened in 1934 to serve Vatican City and its only station. The main rail tracks are standard gauge and 0.19 miles long, with two freight sidings, making it the shortest national railway system in the world. The tracks and station were constructed during the reign of Pope Pius XI, a little bit after the treaty. -
WWll
Vatican City stayed neutral during WWII. They were under the leadership of Pope Pius Xll. Vatican City itself was not occupied in the war. -
Assassin Attempt
The first attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II took place on Wednesday, 13 May 1981, in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. The Pope was shot and wounded by Mehmet Ali Ağca while he was entering the square. The Pope was struck four times and suffered severe blood loss. -
USA and Vatican
After 117 years, the USA and Vatican established full diplomatic relations. It also struck strong criticism from some Jewish. Roman Catholic reaction was restrained and cautious. -
Guard Killed
They were found shot dead on a Monday night. Italian television reported that the bodies were discovered shortly after 9 P.M. after a neighbour reported loud noises coming from the commander's apartment. Colonel Estermann, the guard, had spent the last 18 years protecting the Pope. -
Cardinals
Pope John Paul II installed 44 new cardinals, the largest number ever installed at one time. John Paul has now appointed 166 cardinals. That is more than any other pope and all but 10 of the 135 cardinals eligible to vote for the next pope. -
Solar Power Plant
The smallest country in the world recently announced that it intends to spend 660 million dollars to create what will effectively be Europe’s largest solar power plant. This massive 100-megawatt photovoltaic installation will provide enough energy to make the Vatican the first solar-powered nation-state in the world. -
Period: to
Money
Vatican CIty had decrease in money in 2009. For the first time Vatican had a 10 million profit. That did not last long because in 2011 they had a decrease.
