Holy mysteries

Behind Closed Doors: The secrets of the Vatican

Image: Jamie Evawin

Located in the heart of Rome, the Vatican is a city-state with roots that stretch far beyond its official founding year. And while you might think you’ve heard all about it, the world’s smallest country still holds plenty of secrets. Let’s uncover 10 fascinating facts hidden within its walls.

Image: NASA

In July 1969, the United States sent the first humans who reached the moon. But what exactly did the astronauts bring along with them? Believe it or not, a small Vatican City flag flew aboard Apollo 11 and made it all the way to the moon. Later, President Nixon presented that same flag to Pope Paul VI.

Image: Kelsey Knight

Wine in the Vatican isn’t just for Mass. In fact, this tiny city-state has the world’s highest wine consumption per capita! That may sound shocking, but it becomes a little more reasonable when you consider two things: there are no children in the population, so almost everyone is of drinking age, and residents also enjoy tax-free wine.

Image: Luma Pimentel

Did you know there are no hospitals and no delivery rooms at all? That’s right! You can’t become a Vatican citizen by birth. Citizenship is granted only based on a person’s role or employment within the Holy See.

Image: Ivan Lemekhov

You can’t just choose to live in the Vatican. Just as citizenship isn’t granted by birth, it isn’t permanent either. Those who become citizens hold it only temporarily, and it’s revoked once their service ends.

Image: Sebastian Herrmann

Due to the large number of daily visitors, minor crimes like pickpocketing can occur. However, the Vatican doesn’t have a formal prison system. While there are a few temporary detention facilities, anyone sentenced to prison serves their time in Italian jails.

Image: chan lee

It turns out no one has pets inside the Vatican walls, and it’s not because they don’t like animals. There is actually a rule that prohibits pets from living in or visiting the Vatican and its main attractions. While this might sound strange at first, it actually makes a lot of sense: the ban exists because the Vatican functions primarily as a high-security workplace and religious site, where noise, dirt, or pet waste wouldn’t be ideal. Of course, there are exceptions, such as guide dogs or therapy animals.

Image: Richard Wang

The Vatican is filled with incredible works by the master Michelangelo, with the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel being among the most famous. But there’s only one piece actually signed by Michelangelo himself, and it’s right here in the Vatican. More precisely, it’s in St. Peter’s Basilica: the breathtaking sculpture titled "The Pietà," completed when he was just about 24 years old.

Image: Nicolas Hoizey

The Vatican Museums are the public museums of Vatican City, housing around 70,000 works of art! Together, their corridors and halls stretch nearly 10 miles and attract over 15 million visitors each year. In addition, you can explore the incredible Bramante Staircase, with a double-helix design that is mind-blowing.

Image: Elena Mozhvilo

With so many rooms and corridors, there are also countless doors, which means countless keys. Around 2,700, to be more precise. That’s right: each morning, the museum guards are responsible for opening every single one.

Image: Erik Mclean

Lingua Latina pars fundamentalis Vaticani est. But if that sentence didn’t make sense to you, you might want to bring cash when visiting the Vatican. Why? Well, their ATMs are in Latin! The good news: Italian and English are also available, so we’re covered.

Doppelgangers do exist

Can you recognize these 7 actors and actresses with lookalikes?

Image: Alexander Grey

Have you ever been told that there’s someone out there who looks just like you? It can happen—and it does—more often than you might think. If you’ve ever confused two famous people, you’re not alone. Many celebrities have lookalikes, some of them strikingly similar. Did you know these 7 cases?

Image: Avel Chuklanov

You know Will Ferrell—the tall guy with curly blonde hair and an uncanny ability to make people laugh without doing almost anything. The former SNL actor and comedian has starred in major movies like Zoolander, Anchorman, Elf, and many more.

But there’s someone else out there who’s also very famous—and looks just like him. Can you guess who it is?

Image: Taha

Keira Knightley is an English actress renowned for her roles in blockbuster films and in period dramas like Pride & Prejudice and Atonement. She rose to global fame after starring in Pirates of the Caribbean.

Can you guess which other famous actress looks strikingly similar to her?

Image: Artem Maltsev

Even if you haven’t seen any of the Harry Potter movies, you’ve probably seen Daniel Radcliffe—he’s appeared in numerous films since becoming famous as the young wizard.

Can you guess which other actor, best known for his role in another iconic fantasy trilogy, bears a strong resemblance to him?

Image: David Vives

This American actress and 1990s teen idol rose to fame for her roles as Kelly Kapowski on Saved by the Bell and Valerie Malone on Beverly Hills, 90210.

There’s another actress who’s often compared to her—can you guess who it is?

Image: Stephane YAICH

This instantly recognizable American actor has been around for a few decades. While he had some smaller roles early on, his big break came with Good Will Hunting, which he co-wrote and starred in alongside Ben Affleck.

There’s another actor—active in recent years—who looks a lot like him. Can you guess who it is?

Image: Jakob Owens

This American actress and producer is best known for her roles in Zero Dark Thirty, Interstellar, and The Martian.

Another actress with strikingly similar looks has been compared to her time and time again. Who is she?

Image: Brands&People

You probably recognize this actor for his role as chef Carmy Berzatto in the TV series The Bear, where he plays a perfectionist trying to transform a greasy spoon joint into a Michelin-starred restaurant.

It turns out Jeremy looks a lot like a very famous actor from a few decades ago. Can you guess which one?

Image: Osarugue Igbinoba

Chad Smith, the drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, looks a lot like Will Ferrell—so much so that the two appeared together in a comedy skit on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where they faced off in a drum battle, becoming a viral hit.

Image: Kazuo ota

In case you haven’t noticed, Natalie Portman—star of Black Swan and **Léon: The Professional**—looks a lot like Keira Knightley. Both actresses have acknowledged the resemblance and even joked about it for years.

Fun fact: Keira Knightley played Queen Amidala’s decoy in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, which made the resemblance even more visible on screen.

Image: Ergo Zakki

Yes, Elijah Wood—Frodo Baggins himself—has often been compared to Daniel Radcliffe. Not just because they both starred in hugely popular fantasy films, but because they actually look quite a lot alike.

Image: Skycraft Studios

If you’ve been watching the Netflix series The White Lotus, you’ll recognize Alexandra Daddario—the lead actress with striking blue eyes, high cheekbones, and dark hair, who bears a strong resemblance to another actress with similar features: Tiffani Thiessen.

Image: Stephane YAICH

You might recognize Jesse Plemons from hit movies and TV series like **Breaking Bad’**s final season, Friday Night Lights, The Master, and All the Pretty Horses, where he played a younger version of—guess who? Yes, Matt Damon.

Both actors look very much alike, and their resemblance has been noted several times.

Image: Ahtziri Lagarde

The eldest child of director Ron Howard, Bryce Dallas Howard has appeared in several notable films such as The Village, Jurassic World, and Rocketman. She’s a well-known face in Hollywood.

Bryce and Jessica Chastain are often compared, as both have red hair, fair skin, and similar complexions.

Image: Towfiqu barbhuiya

The original Willy Wonka himself, Gene Wilder, has recently been compared to Jeremy Allen White, an actor who has risen to fame in recent years. Both stars share similar looks, especially due to their curly hair, blue eyes, facial expressions, and slightly quirky intensity.

Their resemblance has been noted several times.