Prayer Focus Vatican

Population: 1000 -1800

Ethnic groups: Italian, Swiss

Religious: Roman Catholic

Languages: Italian, Latin

Capitol: Holy See

Type of government: Ecclesiastical State

Chief of state: (sovereign pontiff) Pope John Paul I

Sequestered away along the Tiber River in Rome, Italy is the small but influential ecclesiastical state of Vatican City. Home to the Holy See of the Roman Catholic Church, theological governance for approximately 1 billion Catholics is conducted within this 109-acre plot of ground. While this may be smallest nation in the 40/70 Window its size does not reflect the significance of its role. Every nation within the 40/70 Window has felt the impact of decisions sent from popes residing in the Vatican. Armies have been mobilized, kings and queens have taken their direction from pontiffs, lands have been "claimed" under it's name, and peoples like the Incas and Aztecs have all but disappeared from the face of the earth as a result of conquistadors seeking wealth behind the veiled approval of the Church in Rome. Recent efforts have been made by Pope John Paul II to reconcile with Jews and others groups historically oppressed or persecuted by the Catholic Church. While many observers believe that the Pope's confession of the Church's mistakes fell short of genuine contriteness, the effort was unmistakably historic.

All that said, it is important to note that the Vatican and the Pope are also the world's strongest promoters for devotion to the cult of Mary- the catholicized expression of the Queen of Heaven. Religious syncretism among Catholics is strong in areas where folk religion, ancestral worship, and animism have their roots. It may be difficult to quantify the number of Catholics that practice a dualistic form of devotion but there is ample documentation that in areas like Latin America and Africa this is a significant issue. But the purpose of the Prime 61 feature is to call forth the redemptive purposes of 40/70 Window nations and not enumerate their faults and fallacies. The heritage of evangelism of early Catholic missionaries is prominent and despite the opposing theological differences of Protestants, has in many ways provided a foundation for the Christian faith in what were pagan strongholds of the ancient world.

Vatican City has an estimated population of 1000 persons comprised of priests, administrators, nuns and various dignitaries. Approximately 150,000 manuscripts and 1.6 million printed books are stored in the Vatican Apostolic Library-one of the richest collections of pre-Christian and early Christian literature in the world. The Vatican's art collection and painted murals are the most extensive of all Christendom. How do we pray for Vatican City? Ask God to prepare the next pope by filling him with the Holy Spirit and developing in him a discernment regarding the Queen of Heaven in the Catholic Church. Pray for a 24-hour prayer room to be established in proximity to Vatican City and that God will rise up intercessors for the assignment.