Secrets of the Vatican Trivia Quiz

Answer: Valets

The Gentlemen of His Holiness are priests and lay persons who have the honor or serving in various positions reminiscent of the duties of a valet. They care for the vestments of the pope, make his travel arrangements, and take care of his furnishings. Formerly known as "Papal Chamberlains of the Sword and Cape" they are sometimes called "The Papal Gentlemen" today.

Answer: Artwork

These are among the many museums and rooms that contain the priceless collection of paintings, statues, and other precious types of artwork. The Vatican has one of the most extensive collections of artwork in the world. Paintings by Michelangelo, Titian, Da Vinci, Raphael and Caravaggio can be viewed on a visit to the Vatican. All three of the locations mentioned in the question are home to various famous sculptures. Over five million people visited the Vatican Museums in 2011.

The true extent of the Vatican's collection will probably never be known.

Answer: The catacombs

Established by the Holy See in 1879, The Pontifical Academy Cultorum Martyrum is an academic honorary society which promotes the veneration of saints. Its main function is the study of all saints and martyrs, early church history and the catacombs where many saints have been buried.

Answer: Red

Both the papal shoes that are worn outside or in public and the papal slippers which are worn while doing mass are traditionally red in color (although some popes have not gone along with this practice - Pope Francis chose to wear black shoes). They usually have gold braid and a gold cross on them.

At one time the Pope wore red robes also, but this was changed in the 16th century to make sure that the Pope was not mistaken for a Cardinal who also wore red robes. Many Popes have been buried in their red shoes, which are made by a private cobbler in Rome specifically for the Pope.

Answer: True

While most of the business documents are written in Italian, many different spoken languages can be heard. These languages include French, German, English and Spanish, as well as Italian. Contrary to popular belief, Latin is NOT the official language although its archives do house many documents written in this language.

Answer: False

While this statement is false, the Vatican did have a hand in the building of the now infamous Watergate Hotel and Apartment Complex. The real estate company Societe Generale Immobiliare was hired for the construction of this building. At that time the Vatican held 20% of the companies stock which made them the largest shareholder and so it can be said that the Vatican effectively financed the construction of this building complex.

Answer: It is made of glass

Born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli on Nov. 25, 1881, Pope John XXIII was a much beloved Pope who was in office from 1958-1963. Often called "Good Pope John" his body can be viewed by the public in its glass coffin. His work during the Holocaust as well as being the Pope who called the Second Vatican Council are just some of the reasons he has been held in such high esteem.

The bodies of Pope Pius X (1835-1914) and Pope Innocent XI (d.1689) can also be viewed by the public in glass coffins. All three men have been, or are in the process, of canonization.

Answer: The Vatican Observatory

The Vatican Observatory is one of the oldest observatories in the world. It is located at the summer residence of the Pope in Castel Gandolfo, Italy. It may surprise you to know that in 2006 Father Jose Funes, the director of the Vatican's Observatory made the statement that the official stance of the Vatican reference life on other planet's is theoretically possible. Whatever these possible life forms are, if they exist, are part of God's plan and are Gods creations.

Answer: True

As strange as this might sound, it is true. There are urinals that have the Virgin Mary on the top and it looks like you are making your offering of nature into her abdomen. The Virgins head is angled so that she appears to be looking in the general area of your stomach.

Answer: Their postage stamps

The Vatican has its own post office and they issue their own postage stamps. These stamps are highly collectible to many philatelists (stamp collectors). The sales of these stamps is one of the largest sources of internal revenue for the Holy See. The Vatican does have a railway station that is used for freight and does not give rides to visitors. Only the Pope rides in the Popemobile. Lastly, while the Vatican does not have a television station it does have its own radio station that broadcasts around the world in twenty different languages.