The Vatican was one of the smallest countries in the world, but not the smallest. There was another "country" on Earth whose territory consisted of only two three-story buildings, and they were rented. This country was called the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
A country required three elements—territory, people, and sovereignty.
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta had no territory, which was why it could not be found on a map. It was located at 68 Via dei Condotti in Rome, in a building covering 0.012 square kilometers known as the Magistral Palace.
Yet it had established formal diplomatic relations with 104 countries around the world.
Not only did this country have a seat at the United Nations, it also possessed the right to issue its own passports, stamps, currency, maintain public buildings, and exercise judicial independence.
Of the three great knightly orders—the Knights Hospitaller, the Teutonic Order, and the Templars—only the Knights Hospitaller of Malta remained. They had shed their military nature and now mainly engaged in charitable work, while also managing certain Church properties.
Modern primary and university education had originated in monasteries during the Middle Ages. After Italy completed its unification, the Church donated some monasteries to establish schools.
The greatest difference between Church schools and secular schools was that ordinary elementary students all had to perform stage plays. Regular schools put on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, while Church schools performed stories from the Bible.
Besides that, Church schools often had a small chapel, with a bell tower above it. Modern class bells no longer rang it, having been replaced with gentle music, but it was still there.
Led by the principal of an elementary school controlled by the Knights of Malta, Joseph entered the underground through a secret entrance behind a small chapel. This