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Why is the pope heading to San Marino?

Why is San Marino even a country?

Edgar Beltrán
Aug 20, 2026
∙ Paid

Not many countries have played host to several popes over the years. Fewer nations still can say they were founded by a saint. And only one such country can boast of all that, with a population of only 35,000 people.

But that’s San Marino — a tiny nation, with an unusually significant role in the history of the Church.

And on Saturday, Pope Leo will head …

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