Ethan Walker
Catholicism is the largest denomination of Christianity, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. All Catholics are Christians, but not all Christians are Catholics. Catholicism is based on the entire Bible, especially the direct teachings of Jesus in the New Testament. Catholics follow the teachings of Jesus Christ through the church, which they consider the path to Jesus. They believe in the special authority of the Pope, whom other Christians may not believe in. Catholics and Christians both believe in salvation as a gift from God and seek forgiveness for their sins through faith in Jesus Christ. However, Catholicism has added extra-biblical practices that some argue create a different religion out of Christianity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of followers | 1.27-1.41 billion baptised Catholics worldwide as of 2025 |
| Relationship with Christianity | Catholicism is the largest denomination of Christianity. All Catholics are Christians, but not all Christians are Catholics. |
| Beliefs | Catholics follow the teachings of Jesus Christ through the church, which they consider the path to Jesus. They believe in the special authority of the Pope, which other Christians may not. |
| Texts | The Bible, especially the New Testament, and the Gnostic Gospels |
| Sacraments | Seven sacraments: baptism, the Eucharist, confirmation, reconciliation (confession), marriage, anointing of the sick, and holy orders |
| Salvation | Salvation is a gift from God, and through faith in Jesus, one can be saved from sin and death. |
| Virgin Mary | The Virgin Mary is venerated as the Mother of God and Queen of Heaven. |
| Priesthood | The Catholic Church preserves the tradition of Priesthood, Monks, and Nuns, dating back to the early middle ages and before. |
| Relationship with other churches | The Catholic Church shared communion with the Eastern Orthodox Church until the East-West Schism in 1054. |
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What You'll Learn
- Catholics are Christians, but not all Christians are Catholics
- Catholics believe in the Pope's authority, which other Christians may not
- Catholic teachings are based on the entire Bible, especially the New Testament
- Catholics believe in the Virgin Mary's immaculate conception and her role as Queen of Heaven
- Catholic Church is the largest Christian church, with 1.27-1.41 billion members worldwide
Catholics are Christians, but not all Christians are Catholics
Catholicism is the largest denomination of Christianity. All Catholics are Christians, but not all Christians are Catholics. A Christian refers to a follower of Jesus Christ who may be a Catholic, Protestant, Gnostic, Mormon, Evangelical, Anglican, Orthodox, or follower of another branch of the religion. A Catholic is a Christian who follows the Catholic religion as transmitted through the succession of Popes. The Pope is the leader of the Catholic Church, which is the largest of the Christian churches, with about 60% of Christians being Catholic.
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions and has played a prominent role in the history and development of Western civilization. The Church consists of 24 autonomous churches, including the Latin Church and 23 Eastern Catholic Churches, which comprise almost 3,500 dioceses and eparchies around the world, each overseen by one or more bishops. The pope, who is the bishop of Rome, is the chief pastor of the church. The core beliefs of Catholicism are found in the Nicene Creed. The Catholic Church teaches that it is the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church founded by Jesus Christ in his Great Commission, that its bishops are the successors of Christ's apostles, and that the pope is the successor of Saint Peter, upon whom primacy was conferred by Jesus Christ.
The Catholic Religion is based on the entire Bible, especially the direct teachings of Jesus given in the New Testament. Other non-Catholic Christian texts based on the teachings of Jesus include the Gnostic Gospels. Catholics and Christians both believe that salvation is a gift by means of the unmerited grace of God, a gift from a loving heavenly Father who sent His only begotten Son Jesus to be their savior. They believe that, through faith in Jesus, one can be saved from sin and eternal death. The Catholic Church teaches the doctrines of Jesus Christ as transmitted in the New Testament of the Bible, as well as the teachings, Psalms, and histories of the Jewish prophets in the Old Testament.
There are certain differences between Catholics and other Christians. Catholics follow the teachings of Jesus Christ through the church, whom they consider the path to Jesus. They believe in the special authority of the Pope, which other Christians may not. While Catholics and Christians both seek forgiveness for their personal sins through faith in Jesus Christ, and share the goal of the manifestation of the Kingdom of God on Earth and the attainment of Heaven in the afterlife, they differ in their beliefs about the sacraments, the roles of the Bible and tradition, and the importance of the Virgin Mary and the saints. For example, the Bible does, in fact, refer to the “queen of the heavens,” but it is in rebuke of the idolatrous Israelites for offering sacrifices to other gods. However, the Catholic teaching that Mary is the Queen of the Universe is idolatry, although the Roman Catholic Church does not see it that way.
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Catholics believe in the Pope's authority, which other Christians may not
Catholicism is a subdivision of Christianity, and Catholics believe in the Pope's authority, which other Christians may not. The Pope, as the bishop of Rome, is considered the chief pastor of the Catholic Church and the successor of Saint Peter, upon whom primacy was conferred by Jesus Christ. This belief in the Pope's authority is based on the doctrine of papal infallibility, which states that the Pope, as the "head of the college of bishops", enjoys divine assistance and cannot err when defining doctrines concerning faith and morals for the whole Church.
However, this doctrine is not universally accepted by all Christians. Some Christians, such as "Bible Christians" and Fundamentalists, reject the idea of papal infallibility and the authority of the Pope. They argue that the New Testament portrays church leadership as that of bishops and elders rather than an infallible pope. They also believe that the doctrine of papal infallibility lacks widespread support in church history and that it is not explicitly found in Scripture.
Additionally, the Catholic Church's teachings and practices have been criticised by some Christians as being extra-biblical and a departure from orthodox Christianity. For example, the Catholic insistence on sacramental confession to a priest and the extreme emphasis on the importance of Mary are seen by some as contradicting biblical teachings. These differences in doctrine and authority have led to divisions between Catholics and other Christian denominations, such as Protestants, who separated from the Catholic Church during the Reformation due to their perception of violations of biblical teachings.
Despite these differences, Catholics and other Christians generally acknowledge each other as part of the broader Christian community. They share fundamental beliefs, such as the divinity of Jesus and doctrines of sin and salvation, even if their interpretations and organisational structures differ. While the Catholic Church believes it represents the one true form of Christianity, other denominations, such as the Eastern Orthodox Church, hold similar views regarding their exclusivity. These differences in self-perception and authority contribute to the diverse landscape of Christian denominations worldwide.
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Catholic teachings are based on the entire Bible, especially the New Testament
Catholicism and Protestantism (with major traditions including Adventism, Anabaptism, Anglicanism, Baptists, Lutheranism, Methodism, etc.) compose Western Christianity. The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions and has played a prominent role in the history and development of Western civilization.
The Catholic Church teaches that its public ministry began on Pentecost, occurring fifty days following the date Christ is believed to have resurrected. At Pentecost, the apostles are believed to have received the Holy Spirit, preparing them for their mission in leading the church. The core beliefs of Catholicism are found in the Nicene Creed. The Catholic Church teaches that it is the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church founded by Jesus Christ in his Great Commission, that its bishops are the successors of Christ's apostles, and that the pope is the successor of Saint Peter, upon whom primacy was conferred by Jesus Christ.
The Bible is central to Catholic beliefs. The beliefs of Catholics are found in the Bible in two ways: explicit and implicit. Some teachings of the Catholic Church are easily found in the Bible. For example, that Jesus is the Son of God, that he called Twelve Apostles to follow him, that he healed, forgave sins, proclaimed the Kingdom of God present in his person, and that he suffered, died, and rose again for our sins, are all very explicit in the Bible. The New Testament, in particular, records Jesus' activities and teachings, his appointment of the Twelve Apostles, and his Great Commission of the apostles, instructing them to continue his work. The book Acts of Apostles tells of the founding of the Christian church and the spread of its message to the Roman Empire.
However, some Catholic teachings are not found in the Bible. For instance, the Catholic Church teaches that there is a distinction between the clergy and the "lay people," whereas the New Testament teaches the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9). The Bible teaches that we are saved by grace, which is received through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), and that good works are the result of a change of heart brought about by salvation (Ephesians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17). In contrast, the Roman Catholic Church teaches that Christians are saved by meritorious works (beginning with baptism) and that salvation is maintained by good works (receiving the sacraments, confession of sin to a priest, etc.). The Bible states that Christians are saved by grace through faith, totally apart from works (Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 3:10-11; Romans 3:19-24).
Furthermore, the Bible teaches that we should pray only to God (Matthew 6:9; Luke 18:1-7). In contrast, the Roman Catholic Church teaches Catholics to petition Mary and the saints for their prayers. The Catholic Church also teaches that unless a believer is hindered, the only way to receive forgiveness of sins is by confessing them to a priest. On the other hand, Scripture teaches that confession of sins should be made directly to God (1 John 1:9).
While the Catholic Church draws many of its teachings from the Bible, it also includes extra-biblical practices and traditions that create a distinct form of Christianity.
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Catholics believe in the Virgin Mary's immaculate conception and her role as Queen of Heaven
Catholicism and Protestantism (with major traditions including Adventism, Anabaptism, Anglicanism, Baptists, Lutheranism, Methodism, and Pentecostalism) compose Western Christianity. The Catholic Church is a communion of sui iuris churches, including 23 Eastern Catholic Churches.
Catholics believe in the Virgin Mary's Immaculate Conception, a doctrine that states that Mary was free of original sin from the moment of her conception. The idea of Mary as the "New Eve" was developed by Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Cyril of Jerusalem, who drew comparisons between Mary and Eve, who was immaculate and incorrupt. The Immaculate Conception was debated by medieval theologians and was defined as a dogma in 1854 by Pope Pius IX.
Catholics also believe in Mary's role as Queen of Heaven and Earth. This belief is based on the Old Testament tradition of the "queen mother" in the Davidic kingdom, where the mother of the ruling king held an important position in the royal court. In the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew emphasizes that Jesus is the "Son of David," who is the true King of the Jews, establishing the "Kingdom of Heaven." With this kingly imagery, it is not surprising to find queen mother themes as well, such as the phrase "the child and his mother" used in the first two chapters of Matthew's gospel. Mary is also portrayed against the background of Davidic kingdom motifs in Luke's Gospel, where the angel Gabriel tells Mary that she will conceive and bear a son who will be called the "Son of the Most High."
The belief in Mary's queenship is further supported by the vision described in Revelation 12, which mentions a "woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." This woman is described as being with child and is associated with the messianic king, who will rule all the nations. Early Christian art also depicts Mary in an elevated position, holding her divine son, or with a crown on her head. While this belief in Mary's queenship is a source of scandal for many non-Catholic Christians, it is an important part of Catholic doctrine and devotion.
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Catholic Church is the largest Christian church, with 1.27-1.41 billion members worldwide
Catholicism is the main branch of Christianity, and the Catholic Church is the largest Christian church. As of 2025, there are 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptised Catholics worldwide, constituting 48.1% to 50% of all Christians. The Catholic Church is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions and has played a prominent role in the history and development of Western civilisation.
The Catholic Church consists of 24 sui iuris (autonomous) churches, including the Latin Church and 23 Eastern Catholic Churches, which comprise almost 3,500 dioceses and eparchies around the world, each overseen by one or more bishops. The pope, who is the bishop of Rome, is the chief pastor of the church. The core beliefs of Catholicism are found in the Nicene Creed. The Catholic Church teaches that it is the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church founded by Jesus Christ in his Great Commission, that its bishops are the successors of Christ's apostles, and that the pope is the successor of Saint Peter, upon whom primacy was conferred by Jesus Christ.
The Catholic Church maintains that it practises the original Christian faith taught by the apostles, preserving the faith infallibly through scripture and sacred tradition as authentically interpreted through the magisterium or teaching office of the church. The seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, with the Eucharist being the principal one, celebrated liturgically in the Mass. The church teaches that through consecration by a priest, the sacramental bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ.
The Catholic Church has faced criticism for departing from orthodox Christianity. One of the most significant points of contention is the Catholic insistence that an earthly priest is necessary as an intermediary between God and humanity. This doctrine contradicts 1 Timothy 2:5, which states that there is "one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus". Additionally, the Catholic Church has been accused of adding extra-biblical practices and teachings, such as the overemphasis on the importance of Mary, which some argue has elevated her to a position akin to a fourth member of the Trinity.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Catholicism is a type of Christianity, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion followers worldwide.
Catholicism is one of the three major branches of Christianity, alongside Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism. It is based on the entire Bible, especially the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament. Catholics follow these teachings through the church, whereas other Christians may not be part of a church. Catholics also believe in the special authority of the Pope, which is not a feature of other branches of Christianity.
Catholics believe in the importance of the sacraments, which are a key part of the faith. They also believe in the special authority of the Pope, who is the bishop of Rome and the leader of the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church teaches that it is the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church founded by Jesus Christ in his Great Commission, and that the Pope is the successor of Saint Peter.
The Catholic Church teaches that its public ministry began on Pentecost, 50 days after Christ is believed to have resurrected. At Pentecost, the apostles are believed to have received the Holy Spirit, preparing them for their mission in leading the church. The Catholic Church has played a prominent role in the history and development of Western civilization.
Catholicity is a concept pertaining to beliefs and practices that are widely accepted by numerous Christian denominations. It is derived from the Ancient Greek adjective "katholikos", meaning "general" or "universal". The term "Catholic" specifically refers to the Catholic Church and often the Roman Catholic Church.
