Yes there are very old walls around the Vatican, except for the eastern entrance where St. Peter’s Basilica sits. You can walk right up to the church. There are lines and entry is controlled, but no walls. Entrance is free, and there is a dress code.
Once in the Basilica you can access the Sistine Chapel and the 4 Vatican museums also. I don’t know about access to the grounds in general.
You can also access the basement below the Basilica from inside. That’s where many Popes are interred. There is a second basement below that area, can be accessed but only by guided tour. There are several tours a day of that area.
The Swiss Guards have been visible around the entrance to the Basilica every time I’ve been there.
This is the Castel Sant'angelo. Pope Clement VII holed up in there while Charles V's troops sacked Rome in 1527. Chuckie-vee said it was an accident. Hey, it happens.
Nice walls.
YUGE wall around the Vatican. Saw it with my own Mark Is last spring.
The Pope didn’t think we would notice.
The Pope can do what he wants. You can’t do the same.