The Lateran Agreement, also known as the Lateran Treaty, was signed on February 11, 1929, between Pope Pius XI and Benito Mussolini, who was the leader of Fascist Italy. The agreement recognized the Vatican City as an independent sovereign state, marking the resolution of long-standing disputes between the Catholic Church and the Italian government. It established a diplomatic and political relationship between the Holy See and Italy, outlining the Vatican City's territorial boundaries and securing the Church's position within Italy.