The Vatican is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church and the world's smallest state.
Founded in 1929, it is home to the Pope, the spiritual leader of over a billion faithful.
The Vatican is also a place steeped in history, culture and mystery.
For centuries, it has aroused curiosity, fascination and sometimes controversy.
What are the Vatican's real secrets? What are the documents, people and events that have marked its history and that are still the subject of debate and speculation today?
The Vatican's secrets are many and varied.
Some of them concern the Vatican's secret archives, an immense library that has preserved the Holy See's official documents since the 8th century.
These archives are accessible to authorised researchers, but they still contain mysteries such as the writings of the first Christians, the trial of the Knights Templar, etc.
The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI in 2013 was a historic and unexpected event, which gave rise to many questions and speculations.
According to official sources, the Pope Emeritus resigned because of his advanced age and declining health, which no longer allowed him to fully exercise his ministry.
In a speech delivered in Latin during a consistory at the Vatican, he stated that he had come to the conclusion that his strength was no longer sufficient to steer the bark of St Peter and proclaim the Gospel.
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