Catholic Church: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox Christian denomination
| name = Catholic Church
| image = Saint Peter's Basilica facade, Rome, Italy.jpg
| caption = [[St. Peter's Basilica]], [[Vatican City]], the heart of the Catholic Church
| main_classification = Christian
| theology = Catholic theology
| polity = Episcopal
| leader_title = Pope
| leader_name = Francis
| founder = [[Jesus Christ]], according to Catholic tradition
| founded_date = 1st century
| founded_place = [[Jerusalem]], [[Roman Empire]]
| headquarters = [[Vatican City]]
| members = 1.39 billion (2023 estimate)
| website = [https://www.vatican.va Vatican.va]
}}
The '''Catholic Church''', also known as the '''Roman Catholic Church''', is the largest Christian denomination, with approximately 1.39 billion baptized members worldwide as of 2023.<ref>{{cite web|title=Annuario Pontificio 2023|url=https://www.vatican.va|access-date=2025-05-02|website=Vatican.va}}</ref> It traces its origins to [[Jesus Christ]] and the [[Twelve Apostles|apostles]], particularly [[Saint Peter|St. Peter]], whom Catholics believe was appointed by Christ as the first [[Pope]]. Headquartered in [[Vatican City]], the Church is led by the Pope, who serves as the [[Bishop]] of [[Rome]] and supreme pontiff. The Catholic Church teaches that it is the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church founded by Christ, entrusted with the mission to proclaim the [[Gospel]] and administer the [[Sacraments of the Catholic Church|sacraments]] for the salvation of souls.<ref>{{cite book|title=Catechism of the Catholic Church|publisher=Vatican Publishing House|year=1994|section=811-870}}</ref>
The '''Catholic Church''', also known as the '''Roman Catholic Church''', is the largest Christian denomination, with approximately 1.39 billion baptized members worldwide as of 2023.<ref>{{cite web|title=Annuario Pontificio 2023|url=https://www.vatican.va|access-date=2025-05-02|website=Vatican.va}}</ref> It traces its origins to [[Jesus Christ]] and the [[Twelve Apostles|apostles]], particularly [[Saint Peter|St. Peter]], whom Catholics believe was appointed by Christ as the first [[Pope]]. Headquartered in [[Vatican City]], the Church is led by the Pope, who serves as the [[Bishop]] of [[Rome]] and supreme pontiff. The Catholic Church teaches that it is the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church founded by Christ, entrusted with the mission to proclaim the [[Gospel]] and administer the [[Sacraments of the Catholic Church|sacraments]] for the salvation of souls.<ref>{{cite book|title=Catechism of the Catholic Church|publisher=Vatican Publishing House|year=1994|section=811-870}}</ref>