Special events to mark 80^th anniversary day of Vatican City

(January 30, 2009) The Vatican has planned a series of four events to mark the 80th anniversary of its founding in February. The world’s smallest state was officially born following the signing of the Lateran Pacts between the Holy See and Italy on February 11th 1929. The pacts were ratified on June 7th 1929. Its nature as a sovereign State distinct from the Holy See is universally recognized under international law. The 80th anniversary day programme was released at a press conference in the Vatican on Friday. February 11th being a holiday in the Vatican the celebratory events are planned for the following day. To start off with, a commemorative exhibition will be inaugurated on Feb. 12th in Braccio di Carlo Magno in St. Peter's Square. The exhibition which will conclude on may 10, traces the 80-year old history of Vatican City from its inception till today. Also on Feb 12 a 3-day a conference titled “A small territory with a great mission” will be held in Rome’s St. John Lateran palace. That evening the Irish Radio and Television Orchestra and the Dublin Cathedral Choir will host a concert on Handels’s Messiah in the Vatican. And finally the Vatican will also issue a commemorative coin and postage stamps for the occasion.