Europe & colonial empiresEurope
Papal States
The Papal States were territories in central Italy ruled by the popes as sovereigns. They began with the Donation of Pepin in 756 and grew to cover much of central Italy. The Kingdom of Italy took Rome in 1870, and Vatican City was created in 1929.
Key facts
| Dates | 756 CE – 1870 CE |
|---|---|
| Region | Europe & colonial empires |
| Continent | Europe |
| Type | theocratic state |
| Capital | Rome |
| Founder | Pope Stephen II |
| Religion(s) | Catholicism |
Before & after
Followed by
Sources
Dates follow widely used reference works; many ancient dates are approximate or debated. Neutral summary for general reference.