Living in Rome, we often forget that Vatican City is a state, the smallest in the world.

At the Permit Office I clasp my passport in my hands, aware that I am crossing a border.

Only later, when I returned to Italy, did I realize how symbolic that very bureaucratic gesture was.

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© Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana

Vatican Apostolic Library

The exterior of the Vatican Library Vatican Apostolic Library.

The works of Lorenzo Cherubini Jovanotti Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana

The works of Kristjana S Williams Vatican Library.

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The entrance to the exhibition with the works of Lorenzo Jovanotti Cherubini © Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana

dior vaticano

The Barberini Hall with the works of Maria Grazia Chiuri © Vatican Library

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© Vatican Apostolic Library

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The exterior of the Vatican Library © Vatican Apostolic Library.

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The works of Lorenzo Cherubini Jovanotti © Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana

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The works of Kristjana S Williams © Vatican Library.

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Maria Grazia Chiuri’s works in collaboration with Karishma Swali and the artisans of the Chanakya School of Craft © Vatican Library

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Maria Grazia Chiuri in the Sala Barberini © Carlotta Manaigo