Sarah Mitchell
The Catholic Church holds that the Bishop of Rome, as the successor of Saint Peter, possesses the unique role of speaking for the whole Church, appointing other bishops, and managing the Church's central administration, the Roman Curia. The Pope, as the Bishop of Rome, governs the Church together with the bishops. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) consists of all active and retired bishops in the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As of 2025, there are approximately 5,600 Catholic Bishops worldwide, with 38 of them being foreign-born bishops serving in the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of Catholic Bishops in the world | 5,600 |
| Total number of Catholic Bishops in the United States | 194 |
| Total number of Latin Church Dioceses in the United States | 176 |
| Total number of foreign-born Catholic Bishops in the United States | 38 |
| Total number of geographic regions in the United States | 14 |
| Total number of Eastern Catholic Churches in the United States | 5 |
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What You'll Learn
There are approximately 5,600 Catholic bishops worldwide
Bishops are ordained ministers who hold the fullness of the sacrament of holy orders. They are responsible for teaching doctrine, governing Catholics in their jurisdiction, sanctifying the world, and representing the Church. Diocesan bishops, known as eparchial bishops in the Eastern Catholic Churches, are assigned to govern local regions within the Catholic Church, known as dioceses in the Latin Church and eparchies in the Eastern Churches.
In the United States, there are 194 archdioceses/dioceses, with an additional Archdiocese for the Military Services, and the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) consists of all active and retired bishops in the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The USCCB is a national membership organization that promotes the greater good of the Catholic Church.
The everyday dress of Eastern Catholic bishops is often the same as their Latin Church counterparts: a black clerical suit with a pectoral cross or panagia. Traditionally, bishops are monks, so their everyday dress is the monastic habit with a panagia and, depending on rank, also a pectoral cross and a second panagia.
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The US has 194 archdioceses/dioceses
The Catholic Church is headed by the Pope, who is the Bishop of Rome. The Pope is responsible for appointing other bishops and managing the central administration, the Roman Curia. The Catholic Church holds that the College of Bishops, as a group, is the successor of the College of Apostles.
In the United States, there are 194 archdioceses and dioceses, which are divided into 14 geographic membership regions for USCCB proceedings. The USCCB, or the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, is a national membership organization that brings together Catholic Bishops in the country to promote the greater good of the Catholic Church. It consists of all active and retired bishops—diocesan, coadjutor, and auxiliary—in the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The Archdioceses and Dioceses in the US are further divided into 14 geographic regions, with the Eastern Catholic Churches constituting their own membership region for USCCB proceedings. These regions typically include two or more Metropolitan Archdioceses and several Dioceses across one or more states. Dioceses are led by bishops, who are responsible for teaching doctrine, governing Catholics in their jurisdiction, sanctifying the world, and representing the church.
Eastern Catholic Churches, with origins in Eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa, have their own distinctive liturgical, legal, and organizational systems. They are identified by the national or ethnic character of their region of origin and are considered fully equal to the Latin tradition within the Church in the United States.
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The Pope is the Bishop of Rome
As of 2021, there are approximately 5,600 Catholic bishops in the world, serving in dioceses and episcopal conferences worldwide. This number includes the Pope, who is not only the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church but also holds the position of Bishop of Rome. This unique position grants him authority over the Diocese of Rome and is an important aspect of his role as the head of the Catholic Church.
The Pope, as the Bishop of Rome, is the successor to Saint Peter, who is considered the first Bishop of Rome and the founder of the Catholic Church. According to Catholic tradition, Jesus Christ appointed Peter as the leader of the apostles and the first Pope. This lineage of Popes, stretching back to the very beginnings of Christianity, is a key element of the Catholic faith and the structure of its ecclesiastical hierarchy.
The role of the Pope as Bishop of Rome is distinct from his role as the universal pastor of the Catholic Church. As the Bishop of Rome, he has immediate jurisdiction over the Diocese of Rome, which encompasses the city of Rome and a few other nearby territories. He is responsible for the spiritual care of the faithful in this diocese and has the same duties and responsibilities as any other diocesan bishop.
However, the Pope also has a wider role as the Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church. In this capacity, he exercises a primacy of jurisdiction over the entire Catholic Church, comprising both the Latin Church and the Eastern Catholic Churches. He is the final authority on matters of doctrine, discipline, and ecclesiastical governance, and he has the power to appoint bishops, convoke ecumenical councils, and promulgate laws that affect the global Catholic community.
The Pope's role as Bishop of Rome is a tangible connection to the Church's roots and a symbol of the unity and continuity of the Catholic faith. It is a reminder that amidst the global scope of the Catholic Church, with its billions of members and diverse cultural expressions, the Pope remains a bishop with a specific diocese to shepherd and a flock to tend to. This dual role of universal pastor and local bishop is a unique aspect of the Petrine ministry and a key feature of the Catholic Church's governance.
Finally, it is worth noting that the Pope, as Bishop of Rome, also holds the title of Vicar of Christ. This title signifies that he is the representative of Christ on earth and emphasizes his role as the visible head of the Church established by Christ. Through his ministry as Bishop of Rome and Vicar of Christ, the Pope guides and governs the Catholic Church, leading it towards its mission of proclaiming the Gospel and spreading the Kingdom of God.
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Cardinals are bishops appointed by the Pope
The Catholic Church is headed by the Pope, who is the Bishop of Rome. The Pope is responsible for governing the Church together with the bishops. The Pope is also responsible for appointing other bishops. The Pope's pronouncements are considered infallible when they meet the requirements of the decree on papal infallibility of the First Vatican Council.
The College of Bishops is a group of bishops who are considered the successors of the College of Apostles. The Catholic Church holds that the College of Bishops, as a group, is the successor of the College of Apostles. Bishops are ordained ministers who hold the fullness of the sacrament of holy orders. They are responsible for teaching doctrine, governing Catholics in their jurisdiction, sanctifying the world, and representing the Church. Bishops are usually in charge of dioceses and are referred to as "ordinary" because they promote order and are in charge.
Cardinals are senior members of the clergy of the Catholic Church and are chosen by the Pope. They are typically ordained bishops and hold important roles within the Church, such as leading prominent archdioceses or heading dicasteries within the Roman Curia. They are also the Pope's advisors. Cardinals are created in a consistory, and one of their main duties is the election of a new pope when the Holy See is vacant. The current number of cardinals is 250, 131 of whom are cardinal electors.
The title of cardinal is given to members of the College of Cardinals, and the appointment is made by the Pope. Cardinals are bishops or archbishops appointed by the Pope to serve in the College of Cardinals. Under canon law, a man appointed cardinal must normally be a bishop or accept consecration. However, he may seek papal permission to decline. The Pope may also appoint an Apostolic Administrator upon the Ordinary Bishop's death, transfer, or acceptance of resignation.
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Bishops wear a chasuble when celebrating Mass
The Catholic Church is present in many countries, with a varied number of bishops in each. In the United States, for example, there are 194 archdioceses/dioceses, while in the United States and the US Virgin Islands combined, there are 194 archdioceses/dioceses and the Archdiocese for Military Services, USA, and the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter.
Bishops, like priests, wear a chasuble when celebrating Mass. The chasuble is the outermost liturgical vestment worn by clergy for the celebration of the Eucharist in Western-tradition Christian churches, including Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran denominations. It is a type of poncho, derived from the Latin word "casula" or "little house," and was originally a common outer traveling garment in the late Roman Empire. Over time, the chasuble evolved into a more ceremonial garment, with intricate decorations and rich materials such as silk or gold brocade used for special occasions. The Caeremoniale Episcoporum recommends that during solemn celebrations, a bishop should wear a dalmatic, preferably white, underneath the chasuble. Additionally, the bishop may wear a mitre, pectoral cross, ecclesiastical ring, and zucchetto.
The chasuble holds symbolic significance in the Mass. It is described in prayer as the "yoke of Christ" and represents charity. The colour of the chasuble is usually chosen to correspond to the liturgical colour of the Mass being celebrated. While the chasuble is commonly associated with the Catholic Church, it is also used in other Christian denominations, such as Anglican and Lutheran churches, with some variations in style and usage.
The vestments worn by bishops during Mass, also known as pontifical vestments, are distinct from choir dress, which is worn when attending liturgical functions but not celebrating or presiding. These vestments are reserved for celebrating or presiding over liturgical functions and are considered a mark of honour for the clergy. In Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches, for example, bishops wear the omophorion, which comes in two varieties: the "Great Omophorion" for significant liturgical moments and the "Little Omophorion" for other occasions.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2022, there were approximately 5,353 Catholic bishops worldwide.
There are 439 active and retired Catholic bishops in the United States.
To become a Catholic bishop, one must first become a deacon and then a priest. A priest must go to seminary school to obtain the full sacrament of holy orders and become a bishop.
