Catholic Church

Largest Christian church, led by the Pope

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The Catholic Church, sometimes referred to as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with approximately 1.3 billion baptised Catholics worldwide as of 2018. As the world's oldest and largest continuously functioning international institution, it has played a prominent role in the history and development of Western civilization. The church consists of almost 3,500 dioceses 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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As Polish Church embraces politics, Catholics leave Katarzyna Lipka is no longer Catholic, and she says that is a political statement. Like many, she has been drifting away from the Church - and in November, after the country's courts decreed a.. Credit: Reuters Studio Duration: 03:06Published on February 4, 2021

SE Cupp: Attacking Amy Coney Barrett's Catholicism may backfire In this week’s edition of “Unfiltered from Home,” host SE Cupp examines how some Democrats’ attempt to “otherize” Amy Coney Barrett’s Catholicism could backfire if she is chosen to.. Credit: Bleacher Report AOL Duration: 05:47Published on January 28, 2021

Irish PM apologizes over shocking Church child mortality report Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin has formally apologized for the state's "profound failure," after a government report detailed shocking conditions at Catholic Church-run homes for mothers and.. Credit: Reuters Studio Duration: 01:09Published on January 13, 2021

Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow dies after contracting coronavirus The Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow Philip Tartaglia has died after contractingCovid-19. The 70-year-old had served as archbishop since 2012 and was one ofthe most senior figures in the Catholic Church.. Credit: PA - Press Association STUDIO Duration: 00:48Published on January 13, 2021

Report details dark chapter in Ireland's history Thousands of infants died in Irish homes for unmarried mothers and their offspring run by the Catholic Church from the 1920s to the 1990s, an inquiry found on Tuesday, an "appalling" mortality rate.. Credit: Reuters - Politics Duration: 02:46Published on January 13, 2021

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Vatican urges Catholics to drop investments in fossil fuels, arms The Vatican urged Catholics on Thursday to disinvest from the armaments and fossil fuel industries and to closely monitor companies in sectors such as mining to check if they are damaging the.. Reuters - Published on June 18, 2020
Former Mexican bishop shot in neck after getting caught in crossfire A former prominent Roman Catholic bishop on Monday said he was shot in the neck as he was traveling by car through his home state at the weekend. Reuters - Published on June 2, 2020
As Catholics mark 100 years since birth of John Paul, shadows remain The Catholic Church on Monday marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of Pope John Paul II but questions remained about whether he did enough against sexual abuse. Reuters - Published on May 18, 2020

French Catholics celebrate mass in parking lot Roman Catholics in a town in eastern France were able to attend mass in their cars on Sunday, in the country's first drive-in religious service since the start of a lockdown eight weeks ago aimed at.. Reuters - Published on May 17, 2020
Coronavirus drains Vatican coffers as income falls, deficits loom Late last month, the Vatican announced the coronavirus pandemic had forced Pope Francis to postpone an annual fund raising campaign among Catholics worldwide to help him carry out his ministry. Reuters - Published on May 13, 2020
Public Masses in Italy to resume May 18, ending bitter Church-state rift Italy's government and Roman Catholic bishops signed an agreement on Thursday to allow the faithful to attend Masses again from later this month, ending a standoff between the Church and state over the.. Reuters - Published on May 7, 2020

In a Philippine lockdown, priests bring church to the community Catholic priest Eduardo "Ponpon" Vasquez has worn a hazmat suit more than a vestment this past month. Reuters - Published on April 29, 2020
Knights of Malta Grand Master who healed rift with Vatican dies Giacomo Dalla Torre, the Grand Master of the Knights of Malta who steered the global Catholic chivalric order and charity to reconciliation with the Vatican after a period of conflict, died on.. Reuters - Published on April 29, 2020
Italy bishops scold government for excluding Mass from lockdown easing Italy's Roman Catholic Church has reprimanded the government for not allowing the faithful to return to Masses at the start of a gradual staged end to Europe's longest coronavirus lockdown. Reuters - Published on April 27, 2020
Pope postpones two mega-events by a year because of coronavirus Pope Francis has postponed two major international Catholic Church events by a year because of the uncertainties caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the Vatican said on Monday. Reuters - Published on April 20, 2020

Poland's parliament sends abortion bill to parliamentary commission Poland's lower house of parliament voted on Thursday to send a bill on tightening abortion rules in the staunchly Catholic country to a parliamentary commission for further work. Reuters - Published on April 16, 2020
Senior Italian cardinal, papal vicar for Rome, has coronavirus Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, Pope Francis' vicar for the diocese of Rome, on Monday became the highest-ranking Catholic official known to test positive for coronavirus. Reuters - Published on March 30, 2020
Locked-down French Catholics mark holy mass via YouTube Coronavirus restrictions meant Catholic priest Guillaume Le Floc’h officiated at Wednesday evening's mass in front of empty pews, so to make sure his flock could celebrate the holy feast of.. Reuters - Published on March 25, 2020	Poland limits numbers at Catholic masses due to coronavirus Poland's government decided on Tuesday to limit the number of people allowed to take part in religious services to five at one time, in a move aimed at containing the spread of the coronavirus.. Reuters - Published on March 24, 2020
Catholics worldwide pray with pope for end to coronavirus pandemic Catholics around the world joined Pope Francis in praying the rosary on Thursday night to ask God to end the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more people in Italy than anywhere else. Reuters - Published on March 19, 2020	Coronavirus: Do not kiss Holy Cross, says Archbishop Goa In order to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, the Roman Catholic Church in Goa on Saturday issued advisory asking people to not kiss the Holy Cross and urged priests to purify their hands with.. IndiaTimes - Published on March 15, 2020
Rome churches remain open after Catholics rail against 'Christ in quarantine' A cardinal on Friday modified his order to close Rome's churches to help contain the spread of coronavirus after Pope Francis cautioned against "drastic measures" and Catholics took to social media to.. Reuters - Published on March 13, 2020	Catholics rail against 'Christ in quarantine' church closures in Rome Catholics criticized a cardinal's order to close churches in Rome on Friday to help contain the spread of coronavirus and Pope Francis cautioned against "drastic measures". Reuters - Published on March 13, 2020
Rome Catholic churches ordered closed due to coronavirus, unprecedented in modern times Rome's Catholic churches were ordered closed on Thursday because of the coronavirus pandemic, in a moved believed to be unprecedented in modern times. Reuters - Published on March 12, 2020	Catholic Italy adapts to religion in a time of coronavirus It's hard being a Catholic in Italy these days. Reuters - Published on March 10, 2020
Another victim of coronavirus: Spain's religious statue-kissing A Spanish pre-Easter tradition, where Catholics flock in droves to kiss statues of Jesus and Mary, fell victim to the coronavirus epidemic this week as churches with some of the most sought-after.. Reuters - Published on March 6, 2020	Pope Francis picks Savannah bishop to lead Atlanta archdiocese Pope Francis on Thursday named Gregory Hartmayer, the Roman Catholic bishop of Savannah, to lead the Atlanta archdiocese, its 100 parishes and 1.2 million Catholics. Reuters - Published on March 5, 2020
Pope defrocks rape-convict Kerala vicar Pope Francis has dismissed Robin Vadakkumchery. Vadakkumchery was the vicar of St Sebastian Church at Neendunoki, in Kannur district. The dismissal of a priest of the Catholic Church from the clerical.. IndiaTimes - Published on March 1, 2020	Vatican says pope 'slightly unwell', dismisses speculation The Vatican moved on Friday to dismiss speculation that Pope Francis was anything more than "slightly unwell" as the 83-year-old Roman Catholic leader canceled official audiences for the second day. Reuters - Published on February 28, 2020
Coronavirus fears lead Holy Land Catholic churches to give communion by hand only Roman Catholic authorities in Jerusalem have instructed their priests to give communion by hand only, rather than placing the wafers on worshippers' tongues, and to empty holy water fonts - as.. Reuters - Published on February 28, 2020	Disgraced Catholic order vows to turn page on abuse with new norms The new leader of the disgraced Legionaries of Christ Catholic religious order, whose founder was a serial sexual abuser, has promised to turn a page as the group enacted new norms to protect children. Reuters - Published on February 27, 2020
Pope leads world's Catholics into Lent at Ash Wednesday rite Pope Francis led the world's 1.3 billion Roman Catholics into the penitential season of Lent, reminding them on Ash Wednesday that everyone will be "dust in the universe" regardless of their status on.. Reuters - Published on February 26, 2020	Pope to Catholics: For Lent, give up trolling During Lent, Catholics are called on to give up something, like sweets. On Wednesday, Pope Francis added a modern twist to the list of things to quit during the season and beyond: insulting people on.. Reuters - Published on February 26, 2020
Vatican police make new raid in investigation of London property deal Vatican police raided the home and office of a senior Catholic Church official on Tuesday, seizing documents and computers in the latest phase of an investigation into the purchase of luxury London.. Reuters - Published on February 18, 2020	Amazon Catholics pledge to press on after Pope says no to married priests Catholic communities across the Amazon said they would keep pushing for married men to be allowed to celebrate Mass in the remote rainforest region, after a papal decision on Wednesday blocked their.. Reuters - Published on February 12, 2020
Upholding celibacy, Pope sidesteps bid to ordain some married men Pope Francis on Wednesday dismissed a proposal to allow some married men to be ordained in remote areas, reaffirming the Roman Catholic Church's centuries-old commitment to celibacy among priests. Reuters - Published on February 12, 2020	Priests in defunct Catholic order in Italy accused of sexual abuse Nine members of a defunct, cult-like Roman Catholic religious order in Italy's Tuscany region are under investigation for alleged sexual abuse of two brothers when they were minors, authorities said on.. Reuters - Published on January 29, 2020
Catholic clergy abuse victim leads drive to shakeup establishment politics in Chile A Chilean sexual abuse victim who took on the Catholic Church has announced plans to form a new political party, one of several that has emerged since protests rocked the country late last year. Reuters - Published on January 27, 2020	Pope asks Catholics to say 'Never Again' to the Holocaust Pope Francis on Sunday asked the world's 1.3 billion Catholics to stop for a moment of prayer and reflection on the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz and say "Never.. Reuters - Published on January 26, 2020
Pence to Pope Francis: 'You have made me a hero' U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, a former Catholic, held an unusually long meeting with Pope Francis on Friday and quipped that he emerged from the encounter feeling like "a hero". Reuters - Published on January 24, 2020	Ex-pope Benedict wants name removed from new book: aide Former Pope Benedict wants his name removed as co-author of a new book on the issue of priestly celibacy, his personal secretary said on Tuesday, in the latest twist in a saga that has riveted the.. Reuters - Published on January 14, 2020
Philippines' Catholics parade 'Black Nazarene' in celebration of Christ Hundreds of thousands of Roman Catholics in the Philippines walked barefoot on Thursday around a centuries-old black wooden statue of Jesus Christ believed to have healing powers, praying for good.. Reuters - Published on January 9, 2020	Don't let Church failings distance you from God, Pope says on Christmas Eve Pope Francis led the world's 1.3 billion Roman Catholics into Christmas on Tuesday, urging them not to let the Church's failings lead them away from accepting God's love. Reuters - Published on December 24, 2019
Mexican Catholic group says late leader Maciel abused at least 60 minors Marcial Maciel, the Mexican founder of the ultra-conservative Legionaries of Christ, abused at least 60 minors, according to a new report published Saturday by the Roman Catholic group. Reuters - Published on December 22, 2019	In unusual move, Vatican postpones beatification of first U.S. 'televangelist' In a highly unusual move, the Vatican has postponed the beatification of the late Archbishop Fulton Sheen, a charismatic figure of U.S. Roman Catholicism in the 20th century and pioneer in religious.. Reuters - Published on December 3, 2019
Pope urges Thais not to see Christianity as 'foreign' Pope Francis paid tribute on Friday to Catholics in Thailand who suffered or were killed for their faith in the past and urged today's Thais not to consider Christianity a "foreign" religion. Reuters - Published on November 22, 2019	Pro-government supporters attack Catholic church in Nicaragua as tensions flare Supporters of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega tried to storm a church on Thursday, with a priest saying they hit churchgoers, as tension ratchets up between Roman Catholics and the government in the.. Reuters - Published on November 22, 2019
Small in numbers, Thai Catholics preserve centuries-old traditions The last time Vararunee Khonchanath was in the presence of a pope was before she was born just over 35 years ago, but when Pope Francis visits Bangkok later this week to bless Thailand's tiny Catholic.. Reuters - Published on November 19, 2019	Guess who's coming to lunch? Pope hosts meal for 1,500 needy people Pope Francis hosted 1,500 homeless and needy people for lunch on Sunday as the Roman Catholic Church marked its World Day of the Poor. Reuters - Published on November 17, 2019
Catholic devotees in Thailand join choir for visit of Pope Francis A choir formed of Catholic devotees training to join the church in Thailand were rehearsing on Saturday ahead of the visit of Pope Francis next week. Reuters - Published on November 16, 2019	Pope, closing synod, decries plundering of the Amazon Pope Francis on Sunday called for an end to the plundering of the Amazon basin, as he closed an assembly of Roman Catholic bishops who discussed the challenges the Church faces in the region. Reuters - Published on October 27, 2019
Vatican synod proposes ordaining married men as priests in the Amazon An assembly of Roman Catholic bishops from the Amazon on Saturday proposed that married men in the remote area be allowed to be ordained priests, which could lead to a landmark change in the Church's.. Reuters - Published on October 26, 2019	Pope, ending synod, says will re-launch study of women deacons Pope Francis said on Saturday he would reconvene a commission to study the history of women deacons in the early centuries of the Catholic Church, responding to calls by women that they be allowed to.. Reuters - Published on October 26, 2019
Haitian Catholics march for political reform as protests spread As Haiti entered a sixth week of violent anti-government protests over corruption and economic woes, Catholic leaders held a rare march on Tuesday calling for a resolution to the crisis that has.. Reuters - Published on October 22, 2019	Vatican accuses conservative social media of fomenting hate after statues dumped The Vatican on Tuesday accused ultra-conservative Catholic social media of fomenting hate, a day after militants stole statues they considered pagan idols from a church and dumped them in the Tiber.. Reuters - Published on October 22, 2019

Catholic Church

Largest Christian church, led by the Pope

Catholic Church ▸ Facts ▸ Comments ▸ News ▸ Videos

You Might Like

Vatican urges Catholics to drop investments in fossil fuels, arms

Former Mexican bishop shot in neck after getting caught in crossfire

As Catholics mark 100 years since birth of John Paul, shadows remain

French Catholics celebrate mass in parking lot

Coronavirus drains Vatican coffers as income falls, deficits loom

Public Masses in Italy to resume May 18, ending bitter Church-state rift

In a Philippine lockdown, priests bring church to the community

Knights of Malta Grand Master who healed rift with Vatican dies

Italy bishops scold government for excluding Mass from lockdown easing

Pope postpones two mega-events by a year because of coronavirus

Poland's parliament sends abortion bill to parliamentary commission

Senior Italian cardinal, papal vicar for Rome, has coronavirus

Locked-down French Catholics mark holy mass via YouTube

Poland limits numbers at Catholic masses due to coronavirus

Catholics worldwide pray with pope for end to coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus: Do not kiss Holy Cross, says Archbishop Goa

Rome churches remain open after Catholics rail against 'Christ in quarantine'

Catholics rail against 'Christ in quarantine' church closures in Rome

Rome Catholic churches ordered closed due to coronavirus, unprecedented in modern times

Catholic Italy adapts to religion in a time of coronavirus

Another victim of coronavirus: Spain's religious statue-kissing

Pope Francis picks Savannah bishop to lead Atlanta archdiocese

Pope defrocks rape-convict Kerala vicar

Vatican says pope 'slightly unwell', dismisses speculation

Coronavirus fears lead Holy Land Catholic churches to give communion by hand only

Disgraced Catholic order vows to turn page on abuse with new norms

Pope leads world's Catholics into Lent at Ash Wednesday rite

Pope to Catholics: For Lent, give up trolling

Vatican police make new raid in investigation of London property deal

Amazon Catholics pledge to press on after Pope says no to married priests

Upholding celibacy, Pope sidesteps bid to ordain some married men

Priests in defunct Catholic order in Italy accused of sexual abuse

Catholic clergy abuse victim leads drive to shakeup establishment politics in Chile

Pope asks Catholics to say 'Never Again' to the Holocaust

Pence to Pope Francis: 'You have made me a hero'

Ex-pope Benedict wants name removed from new book: aide

Philippines' Catholics parade 'Black Nazarene' in celebration of Christ

Don't let Church failings distance you from God, Pope says on Christmas Eve

Mexican Catholic group says late leader Maciel abused at least 60 minors

In unusual move, Vatican postpones beatification of first U.S. 'televangelist'

Pope urges Thais not to see Christianity as 'foreign'

Pro-government supporters attack Catholic church in Nicaragua as tensions flare

Small in numbers, Thai Catholics preserve centuries-old traditions

Guess who's coming to lunch? Pope hosts meal for 1,500 needy people

Catholic devotees in Thailand join choir for visit of Pope Francis

Pope, closing synod, decries plundering of the Amazon

Vatican synod proposes ordaining married men as priests in the Amazon

Pope, ending synod, says will re-launch study of women deacons

Haitian Catholics march for political reform as protests spread

Vatican accuses conservative social media of fomenting hate after statues dumped