Michael Brooks
Catholicism is a branch of Christianity, with Roman Catholicism being led by the Pope, the Bishop of Rome. The Catholic Church, or 'universal assembly', can be traced back to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and his disciples, who were referred to as Christians. According to Catholic teaching, St. Peter was the first Pope, and the belief that he was appointed by Jesus himself forms a key part of the faith. The term 'Catholic' is derived from the Greek 'katholike ekklesia', meaning 'universal assembly', and was used by Ignatius when writing to the Christians of Smyrna.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of origin | Christianity: c. 30 CE; Catholicism: c. 33 CE |
| Founding figure | Christianity: Jesus Christ; Catholicism: Jesus Christ |
| Followers | Christianity: All Christians; Catholicism: Catholics |
| Branches | Christianity: Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Protestantism; Catholicism: Eastern Catholicism, Roman Catholicism |
| Leadership | Christianity: N/A; Catholicism: The Pope, Bishop of Rome |
| Scriptures | Christianity: The Bible; Catholicism: The Bible, Canon Law |
| Sacraments | Christianity: N/A; Catholicism: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders |
| Founding location | Christianity: Palestine; Catholicism: Antioch |
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What You'll Learn
Catholicism is the oldest form of Christianity
Catholicism is a form of Christianity, and one of its three major branches, alongside Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism. The Catholic Church teaches that its public ministry began on Pentecost, 50 days after Christ's resurrection, when the apostles are believed to have received the Holy Spirit.
The first recorded use of the term "Christian" is found in the New Testament in Acts 11:26, where Paul and Barnabas preached to the church in Antioch, and the disciples were first named Christians. The first recorded use of the term "Catholic" appears in a letter by Ignatius of Antioch, written around 107 AD, in which he uses the term to refer to the universal visible church.
The early Christians in Antioch were part of the Catholic Church. Given the unbroken chain of succession at Antioch—from Peter (sent by Christ) to Evodius to Ignatius—it follows that the biblical Christians of the first century mentioned in Acts 11 were part of the Catholic Church.
Furthermore, according to Catholic teaching, Jesus established his disciple St. Peter as the first pope of the church. The Catholic Church considers the pope, the bishop of Rome, to be the successor to Saint Peter.
While there are differing perspectives on the matter, with some arguing that the Church founded by Jesus was the "Christian Church" rather than the Catholic Church, it can be argued that Catholicism is the oldest form of Christianity, with the Catholic Church being the original form from which other branches of Christianity later emerged.
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The Catholic Church was founded by the disciples
The Catholic Church is a Christian religion and one of the three major branches of Christianity, along with Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptised members worldwide as of 2025.
The Catholic Church teaches that it was founded by Jesus Christ and his disciples. According to Catholic teaching, Jesus established his disciple St. Peter as the first pope of the church. The New Testament, particularly the Gospels, records Jesus' activities, teachings, and his appointment of the Twelve Apostles, instructing them to continue his work. The Book of Acts in the New Testament tells of the founding of the Christian church and the spread of its message to the Roman Empire. The Catholic Church considers its bishops to be the successors to Jesus' apostles, and the Church's leader, the Bishop of Rome (also known as the Pope), to be the sole successor to St. Peter.
The first recorded use of the term "Christian" is found in the New Testament in Acts 11:26, where Paul and Barnabas preached to the church in Antioch, and the disciples were first named Christians. The first recorded use of the term "Catholic" appears in Ignatius of Antioch's Letter to the Smyrnaeans, written around AD 107, where he states, "Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church."
Some Protestants claim that the Church founded by Jesus was the "Christian Church," not the Catholic Church. However, historical evidence suggests that the early Christian church in Antioch, founded by Peter, was indeed the Catholic Church.
From a Protestant perspective, the modern Catholic Church and all Christian churches share a common ancestor. The term "pope" did not appear until much later in the Church's history, and the development of the papacy led to a significant schism.
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The Bible was first laid out in Church Councils
Christianity is a monotheistic religion that revolves around the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, as presented in the New Testament of the Bible. Roman Catholicism, also known as Catholic Christianity, is one of the three major branches of Christianity, alongside Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism. It is led by the Pope, the bishop of Rome, and the Holy See forms the central government of the Church.
The Bible, as we know it today, was laid out by the Church Councils, which took place from the 4th to the 16th centuries. The process of determining which books belonged in the Bible began in the first centuries of the Christian Church. The Council of Laodicea in AD 363 stated that only the Old Testament (along with one book of the Apocrypha) and 26 books of the New Testament were canonical and to be read in churches. However, they excluded the 'Revelation of John', now known as the 'Book of Revelation'.
The Council of Hippo in AD 393 and the Council of Carthage in AD 397 reaffirmed the same 27 books as authoritative. These councils followed specific principles to determine whether a book was inspired by the Holy Spirit. These included considering the author's connection to the apostles, the acceptance of the book by the broader Christian community, the consistency of doctrine and orthodox teaching, and the evidence of high moral and spiritual values.
The Council of Rome, convened under Pope Damasus in AD 382, promulgated a 73-book scriptural canon. This canon was later reaffirmed by the Council of Florence in 1442 and the Council of Trent in 1546, after attacks by Protestant leaders.
It is important to note that while Church Councils played a significant role in laying out the Bible, they did not determine the canon. The belief is that God alone decided which books belonged in the Bible, and it was a matter of convincing His followers of His choices.
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The Catholic Church is led by the Pope
Catholicism is a form of Christianity, and as such, the Catholic Church is led by the Pope, who is the Bishop of Rome and the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope is also known as the supreme pontiff, Roman pontiff, or sovereign pontiff.
The Pope is the head of the Holy See, the central government of the Roman Catholic Church, and makes decisions on faith and morality for the world's 1.3 billion Catholics. The Pope is believed by Catholics to be the direct successor of St. Peter, who was the leader of the Apostles of Jesus and was given the keys of heaven and the powers of binding and loosing.
The term "pope" was formerly given, especially in the East, to all bishops and other senior clergy. Later, during the reign of Pope Leo I (440-461), it became reserved for the Bishop of Rome, although this reservation was only made official in the 11th century. The earliest record of the use of the title "pope" was in reference to the patriarch of Alexandria, Heraclas (232-248). The earliest recorded use of the title in English dates to the mid-10th century when it was used to refer to the 7th-century Pope Vitalian.
The Catholic Church teaches that the pastoral office, held by the apostles as a group with St. Peter as their head, is now held by their successors, the bishops, with the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) as their head. This belief in the Pope as the successor of St. Peter is based on the understanding that Jesus personally appointed Peter as the visible head of the Church.
The Pope's role as the leader of the Catholic Church is significant as it represents a direct line back to Jesus, with Catholics seeing Jesus as being present in the papacy. The Pope's authority is derived from his position as the apostolic successor to St. Peter, and he is accepted as the leader of the Catholic Church by its members.
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The Catholic Church and Orthodox Church split
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the teachings and life of Jesus, who is regarded by Christians as the Son of God. Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism are the three primary branches of Christianity. The Catholic Church, led by the Pope, is the decisive spiritual force in Western civilisation.
The Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church split in 1054 CE in what became known as the East-West Schism or the Great Schism. The formal division between the two churches occurred when Pope Leo IX and Patriarch Michael I excommunicated each other. The split was the culmination of a series of theological and doctrinal disputes, as well as differences in cultural and political practices, that had emerged over the preceding centuries.
The roots of the split can be traced back to the early centuries of Christianity. In the 4th century, the Roman Empire adopted Christianity as its official religion, and the bishop of Rome (the Pope) became a significant political and spiritual leader. Despite their shared faith, the Roman and Eastern churches (which later became the Orthodox Church) began to diverge in their practices and beliefs. One notable point of contention was the language used in their respective liturgies, with the Western (Roman) Church adopting Latin and the Eastern (Orthodox) Church using Greek.
Other issues that contributed to the schism included the procession of the Holy Spirit (Filioque), the use of leavened or unleavened bread in the Eucharist, iconoclasm, the coronation of Charlemagne as Emperor of the Romans in 800, and the Pope's claim to universal jurisdiction. The first step towards the formal schism occurred in 1053 when Patriarch Michael I Cerularius of Constantinople ordered the closure of all Latin churches in the city.
In the centuries following the Great Schism, the Catholic Church became increasingly centralised and hierarchical, while the Orthodox Church retained a more decentralised and autonomous structure. Despite their differences, the two churches have made efforts towards reconciliation in recent decades. In 1965, Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I nullified the anathemas of 1054, and the two churches issued a joint statement, known as the "Balamand Declaration," affirming their shared beliefs and committing to working towards unity.
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Frequently asked questions
Christianity is a broader term for all who follow Christ. Catholicism is a specific branch of Christianity, along with Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism.
Catholicism is the oldest form of Christianity. It is believed that St. Peter, a disciple of Jesus Christ, was the first Pope, and there has been an uninterrupted line of Popes through history to Pope Francis today.
The Acts of the Apostles in the Bible mentions the disciples being called Christians for the first time in Antioch. Peter founded the church in Antioch and appointed Evodius as the bishop. This church was, indeed, the Catholic Church.
The term 'Catholic Church' means 'universal assembly'.
