Catholic Church
Largest Christian church, led by the Pope
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The Catholic Church, often referred to as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with approximately 1.3 billion baptised Catholics worldwide as of 2019. As the world's oldest and largest continuously functioning international institution, it has played a prominent role in the history and development of Western civilisation. The church consists of 24 particular churches and almost 3,500 dioceses and eparchies around the world. The pope, who is the Bishop of Rome, is the chief pastor of the church, entrusted with the universal Petrine ministry of unity and correction. The church's administration, the Holy See, is in the Vatican City, a tiny enclave of Rome, of which the pope is head of state.
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![Christian Filipinos mark 500 years since arrival of Catholicism [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20210501/2105011332-Christian-Filipinos-mark-500-years-since-arrival-of.jpg) Christian Filipinos mark 500 years since arrival of Catholicism Credit: Al Jazeera STUDIO Duration: 02:47Published | |
![Seven Catholic clergy, including two French, kidnapped in Haiti [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20210412/1318500780-Seven-Catholic-clergy-including-two-French-kidnapped-in.jpg) Seven Catholic clergy, including two French, kidnapped in Haiti Credit: FRANCE 24 English Duration: 00:37Published | |
![Hundreds of dogs receive the blessing of Saint Lazarus in Nicaragua [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20210322/1317738717-Hundreds-of-dogs-receive-the-blessing-of-Saint.jpg) Hundreds of dogs receive the blessing of Saint Lazarus in Nicaragua Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 00:50Published | |
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