Joshua Bennett
Catholicism is a broad and diverse religion with around 1.27 to 1.41 billion followers worldwide, making it the second-largest religious denomination after Sunnism. The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church and one of the oldest and largest international institutions. It is led by the Pope, who is the Bishop of Rome, and is based in Vatican City, an independent city-state within Rome, Italy. The Catholic Church has played a significant role in the history and development of Western civilisation, influencing philosophy, culture, art, literature, music, law, and science. The Church is built upon the foundation of the Apostles, chosen by Christ, and its core beliefs are found in the Nicene Creed. Catholics belong to a Christ-centred faith community that views Jesus Christ as the foundation and model their lives after his example of love. They believe in God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Lord and Saviour. Catholics worship and praise God by living a sacramental life, recognising the need for forgiveness, and encountering the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. They strive to follow Jesus' teachings, work for peace and justice, and care for the poor and helpless.
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What You'll Learn
- Catholics believe in God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ, who is the foundation of the Catholic community
- Catholics are committed to protecting all human life and upholding human dignity
- Catholics believe in the Bible as the word of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ
- Catholics worship and praise God through sacraments, prayer, and art
- Catholics are united globally by their faith, with the Pope as their leader
Catholics believe in God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ, who is the foundation of the Catholic community
At the core of the Catholic faith is the belief in one God, who exists in three distinct yet inseparable persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. This triune God is the creator and sustainer of the universe and is characterised by infinite love, mercy, and justice.
Catholics believe in God, who is their loving Father and creator. God's love is limitless and overflows into their hearts and lives. They believe that God sent his own beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who suffered, died, and rose from the dead, to save them and offer them the gift of eternal life. Catholics believe that Jesus Christ is the foundation of their community. They share Jesus' vision and model their lives after his example of love. They are called to care for one another and to use their unique gifts and talents for the good of the community and the world.
Catholics believe in the Holy Spirit and in the Spirit's powerful presence in the Church today. The Spirit, given by Jesus to the Church at Pentecost, enables the Lord to continue to be present with them today and to continue his saving mission. The Spirit imparts wisdom and knowledge and gives them their various spiritual gifts, which are found in the Bible. They are called to recognise and share these gifts with the community. The Spirit helps them to continue to develop their faith and to grow in their relationship with God.
Catholics believe that the Catholic Church is a very special gift from God and was founded by Jesus Christ Himself. They believe that the Church contains the fullness of all the gifts that Christ Jesus wishes to give to the world. Under the leadership of the Pope, who is the successor of Saint Peter, the person appointed by Jesus to lead His Church, the teaching of Jesus continues to be proclaimed.
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Catholics are committed to protecting all human life and upholding human dignity
Catholics believe that human life is sacred and must be protected from the moment of conception until natural death. This belief is reflected in their opposition to abortion and euthanasia, as well as their commitment to social justice issues such as poverty alleviation and the elimination of violence. They also recognize the importance of prayer and the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, as a means to strengthen their relationship with God and each other.
The Catholic Church, the largest Christian church in the world, has a rich history and has played a significant role in the development of Western civilization. The Church is led by the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, and is based in Vatican City. It operates tens of thousands of schools, universities, hospitals, and orphanages worldwide and has influenced various aspects of human society, including philosophy, culture, art, literature, music, law, and science.
Catholics are guided by the Ten Commandments, which they consider divine law, and strive to live out their faith in their daily lives. They believe in the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, and is worshipped and glorified alongside them. The Holy Spirit is believed to unite all members of the Church as one People of God, regardless of their diverse backgrounds.
Catholics also honour Mary, the mother of God and the Church, as the first among the saints. They believe that Mary was conceived without sin and that her willingness to submit to God's will is an example for all believers. Catholics ask for the intercession of Mary and other saints, believing that their prayers add to their own in reaching God.
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Catholics believe in the Bible as the word of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ
Catholics believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. From the beginning of Christianity, the Catholic Church has defined the canon of Scripture – the books found in every Christian Bible – and what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. The Bible is God’s self-revelation, inspired and written without error. The Scriptures were written under the positive influence of the Holy Spirit, and are considered sacred literature.
The Catholic Church has preserved the Bible, as well as many other written works, through its monasteries and libraries. In the early Church, the Gospel was preached by those who knew Christ or his Apostles. The Apostles passed on their preaching and writing to all generations through bishops, who continue to preach the truth revealed in the Gospel. This living transmission of the Word of God is called tradition, which is distinct from Scripture, but closely tied to it. Tradition infuses the entire life of the Church, and along with Scripture, comprises the deposit of the Word of God.
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.
The Holy Spirit has hidden some dimensions of the mission of Jesus in the Bible. The truths of faith are clarified by the Tradition through the Magisterium, the Church’s authentic teaching office. These truths never contradict the Word of God in Scripture, but serve to articulate its truth more clearly. The Holy Spirit helps us to find and to articulate these mysteries.
Catholics believe in God revealed through the Old and New Testaments. God’s revelation is entrusted to the Apostles and their successors so that the Word of God is revealed in both Scripture and Tradition. Catholics believe that the Bible is a living document that continually speaks to believers in every age.
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Catholics worship and praise God through sacraments, prayer, and art
Catholics are members of a Christ-centred community who view Jesus Christ as their foundation. They worship and praise God through sacraments, prayer, and art.
Sacraments
Catholics worship and praise God by living a sacramental life. They recognise the need for forgiveness and see the sacrament of reconciliation as a means to receive this gift. They believe that their sin harms the community, and the sacrament of reconciliation helps to heal their relationships with others, the community, and God. Catholics encounter the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and are nourished and fed by it on a weekly basis. The Eucharist binds them together as a community and with God. They believe that the Eucharist is not merely a sign or symbol of Jesus, but rather the real body and blood of Christ.
There are seven sacraments in the Catholic Church: the three sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist); the two sacraments of healing (penance and the anointing of the sick); and the two sacraments at the service of communion (marriage and holy orders). Through the sacraments, God shares his holiness with Catholics so that they, in turn, can make the world holier.
Prayer
Catholics recognise the importance of prayer and take time to develop an active prayer life. Prayer strengthens and defines their relationship with God. Various forms of prayer are presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, including prayers of blessing or adoration, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, and praise. Meditation is a Christian practice of prayer dating back to the early Church. By meditating on the Gospels, holy icons, liturgical texts, spiritual writings, or "the great book of creation," Catholics come to make their own that which is God's.
Art
Art has been used by the Catholic Church throughout history to teach the faith to those who could not read, illustrating Gospel teachings, the life of Christ, and the principal beliefs of Catholicism. These works of art, crafted through a variety of media including paint, mosaic, sculpture, tapestry, and etchings, are often called the "bibles of the poor". In his “Letter to Artists,” St. John Paul II wrote, “In order to communicate the message entrusted to her by Christ, the Church needs art. Art must make perceptible, and as far as possible attractive, the world of the spirit, of the invisible, of God.”
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Catholics are united globally by their faith, with the Pope as their leader
Catholics are united by their shared faith in God and Jesus Christ, his son. They believe in the Holy Spirit and the Spirit's powerful presence in the Church today. The Catholic Church is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptised members 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 civilisation.
The Catholic Church is based in Vatican City, a small independent country within Rome, Italy. The Pope, currently Pope Francis, is the Bishop of Rome and the chief pastor of the church. Catholics believe that the Pope is the successor of Saint Peter, upon whom primacy was conferred by Jesus Christ. The Pope is the leader of the Catholic Church, and his teachings are considered infallible truths that all Catholics must believe.
Catholics are united by their common beliefs and practices, which include the recognition of the Eucharist as the real body and blood of Christ, the importance of prayer and the sacraments, and the belief in the divinity of Jesus Christ as the son of God. They strive to follow Jesus' teachings in their lives, including loving God and others, practising forgiveness and mercy, and caring for the poor and helpless. They also work towards peace and justice in the world, guided by their faith.
The Catholic Church is diverse, encompassing various races, nations, cultures, languages, and traditions. Despite these differences, Catholics are united globally by their shared faith and the leadership of the Pope. They are committed to the protection of all human life, from conception to natural death, and strive to respect the dignity of every person, working to eliminate prejudice, oppression, poverty, violence, and injustice.
The Church also operates tens of thousands of Catholic schools, universities, colleges, hospitals, and orphanages around the world, providing education and healthcare to those in need. Catholics are united in their belief that their faith should be lived out through service and love for others, guided by the teachings of the Pope and the Catholic Church.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptised 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 civilisation. The Catholic Church is based in Vatican City, a small independent country within Rome, Italy.
Catholics belong to a Christ-centred faith community that views Jesus Christ as the foundation. Catholics believe in God, who is their loving Father and creator, and in the divinity of Jesus Christ, the son of God, who suffered, died, and rose from the dead to save them and offer them the gift of eternal life. Catholics also believe in the Holy Spirit, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. The Church is built upon the foundation of the Apostles, chosen by Christ himself, and is therefore called "apostolic".
The Pope, or Bishop of Rome, is the leader of the Catholic Church and is considered the successor to Saint Peter, upon whom primacy was conferred by Jesus Christ. The Pope is the chief pastor of the Church and is based in Vatican City.
Tradition refers to the living transmission of the Word of God, which is distinct from Scripture but closely tied to it. The Catholic Church has preserved the Bible and many other written works through its monasteries and libraries. Tradition infuses the entire life of the Church and, along with Scripture, comprises the deposit of the Word of God.
