The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions and has played a prominent role in the history and development of Western civilization. The Church consists of 24 sui iuris (autonomous) churches, including the Latin Church and 23 Eastern Catholic Churches, which comprise almost 3,500 dioceses and eparchies around the world, each overseen by one or more bishops. The pope, who is the bishop of Rome, is the chief pastor of the church.
Pope prays for Chinese Catholics to be in communion with Rome in first comments following feast day
Leo noted that on..
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says he "welcomes" the new Pope and looks forward to working with him, after Cardinal Robert..
Before Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the new Pope, Catholic cardinals reportedly consulted the 2024 film 'Conclave' ahead..
As the world watches, 133 cardinals from around the globe arrive at St. Peter's Basilica for a powerful and historic moment—the..
