Vatican City, Rome, Italy Jul 23, 2025

In the middle of Rome, Italy, lies an entire country of its own: Vatican City. At just 49 hectares, 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

Jul 23, 2024Methoni Castle, Messinia, Greece

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Oct 14, 2025Village of Oia, Santorini, Greece
Dec 19, 2023Cachoeira da Fumacinha, Bahia, Brazil
Dec 21, 2025Dawn light through frosty trees, Sweden
Sep 20, 2024Ocracoke Lighthouse on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, USA
Nov 30, 2024Kilchurn Castle, Scotland
Feb 25, 2025Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, United States
Feb 28, 2025Taktsang Palphug Monastery, Bhutan
Apr 20, 2025Yellow warbler in Canada
May 17, 2024African elephants, Tanzania
Sep 17, 2025A young bull moose
Mar 18, 2024Elephant Rock, Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia
Sep 18, 2025Dunquin Pier, County Kerry, Ireland
Apr 7, 2024North American beaver, Denali National Park, Alaska, USA
Dec 2, 2024Moose, Denali National Park, Alaska, United States
Nov 21, 2024Lion cubs, South Africa
Mar 3, 2024Leopard in a tree, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Sep 29, 2025Rainbow houses, Netherlands
Jul 19, 2024A young jaguar, Pantanal, Brazil
Aug 18, 2025Avalanche Lake Trail at Adirondack High Peaks, New York, United States
Jan 17, 2025Brown pelican, San Diego, California, United States
Jul 9, 2024Talampaya National Park, Argentina
May 28, 2025Sea otter
Jan 30, 2024Ayna, Albacete, Spain
Jun 17, 2025Maritime forest in Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia, United States
Jan 24, 2024Diamond Beach, Iceland
Jul 26, 2025Mangrove trees, Walakiri Beach, island of Sumba, Indonesia
Mar 29, 2026Peggys Point Lighthouse, Atlantic Coast, Nova Scotia, Canada
Apr 4, 2026Black grouse males, Estonia
Mar 30, 2026Demoiselle cranes, India
Sep 29, 2024West Cornwall Covered Bridge, Connecticut, USA