Catholic Church

Legendary card · No. 1581

The Catholic Church (Latin: Ecclesia Catholica), also called the Roman Catholic Church (Latin: Ecclesia Catholica Romana), is the largest Christian church, with an estimated 1.28 to 1.41 billion baptized members worldwide as of 2026. It consists of 24 autonomous (sui iuris) churches. The largest one of these churches is the Latin Church. In addition to it, there are 23 smaller Eastern Catholic Churches. Together, the Latin Church and the Eastern Catholic churches are organized into nearly 3,500 dioceses and eparchies governed by bishops. Throughout history, the church has had a large role in the development of Western civilization. Catholic communities are present worldwide through missions, immigration, and conversions. The majority of Catholics live in the Global South, reflecting rapid demographic growth in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, as well as secularization in parts of Europe and North America. Catholic doctrine is rooted in the Nicene Creed and holds that the church is the...

Read on Wikipedia · Image Jebulon, CC0