As Vatican City is an independent city-state and not a country, it does not have an official national animal. Vatican City is the smallest independent state in the world, and its governance is centered around the Holy See, the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Catholic Church, headed by the Pope. While Vatican City does not have a designated national animal, it is a symbolically significant place for Catholics worldwide and is home to various ornamental and symbolic elements within its walls, including the famous Swiss Guards.
