Joshua Bennett
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church in the world, with 1.27 to 1.4 billion baptised members worldwide as of 2025. The Church traces its origins to the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, which is believed to have occurred around AD 30. The Catholic Church teaches that it was founded by Jesus Christ himself, who directed the Apostle Peter to be the head of the church, making him the first pope. The roots of the Church can be found in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and its core beliefs are outlined in the Nicene Creed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of origin | The Catholic Church contends that it originated with the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ in approximately AD 30. |
| Location of origin | The Catholic Church was founded in Jerusalem, with headquarters later moved to Antioch and then Rome. |
| Founding figure | Catholics believe that Jesus Christ founded the Church, with Saint Peter as his successor. |
| Recognition as a religion | Roman Catholicism became the official religion of the Roman Empire in 380 CE. |
| Number of followers | As of 2025, there are 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide. |
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What You'll Learn
The death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ
According to Catholic tradition, the Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ. The New Testament records Jesus' activities and teachings, His appointment of the twelve Apostles, and His instructions for them to continue His work. The Catholic Church teaches that the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, in an event known as Pentecost, signaled the beginning of the public ministry of the Church.
Jesus Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension are central tenets of the Catholic faith. Jesus Christ died on the Passover, was resurrected on the Sabbath, and ascended to heaven 40 days later. Jesus's resurrection confirmed His claim to be the Son of God. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to several women and His disciples, instructing them to spread His teachings to all nations.
Jesus's resurrection is described in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In these accounts, Jesus's body is said to have been physically resurrected, bearing the wounds of His crucifixion, yet transcending the ordinary limitations of the body. Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, who at first mistook Him for the gardener, and to other women, who were filled with "trembling and astonishment" and "great joy."
In the 40 days between His resurrection and ascension, Jesus presented Himself to His disciples, eating and conversing with them, and instructing them about the kingdom of God. This period of 40 days is significant in the Bible, signifying preparation and transition. Jesus's ascension marked the beginning of the early Christian Church, as His apostles began to spread the Gospel and make disciples.
The death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ are foundational events in the Catholic faith, providing evidence of Jesus's divinity and fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament. These events also serve as a source of encouragement and instruction for followers of Christ, as they reflect on His sacrifice, victory over death, and ongoing presence in their lives.
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The role of the Apostle Peter
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 civilization. The Catholic Church traces its origins to the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ in approximately AD 30.
Peter, born Shimon Bar Yonah, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus and one of the first leaders of the early Christian Church. He is mentioned repeatedly in the four New Testament gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. His leadership of the early believers is estimated to have spanned from AD 30 or 33 until his death, possibly in AD 64 or 68. According to tradition, Peter was crucified in Rome under Emperor Nero, making him one of the earliest Christian martyrs.
The early Christian Church was divided into various belief systems, including Pauline Christianity, Gnostic Christianity, and Jewish Christianity. After the fall of Jerusalem in 70 C.E., the Jewish-Christian movement was scattered, leaving Pauline and Gnostic Christianity as the dominant groups. In 313 C.E., Roman Emperor Constantine legalised Christianity, and in 380 C.E., Roman Catholicism became the official religion of the Roman Empire.
The Catholic Church maintains that it practises the original Christian faith taught by the apostles, including Peter, and that its bishops are the successors of Christ's apostles, with the pope as the successor of Saint Peter. Peter is venerated as a major saint by the ancient Christian churches, and they regard him as the founder of the Church of Antioch and the Church of Rome.
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The influence of the Roman Empire
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church in the world, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptised members worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest institutions and has played a prominent role in the history and development of Western civilization. The Church traces its origins to the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ in approximately AD 30. The Catholic Church proclaims itself to be the church that Jesus Christ died for and was established and built by the apostles.
The Catholic Church also preserved the Latin language, although it evolved over time and differed from its ancient form. The Church's iconography was associated with conflict and righteous expansionist aggression, reflecting the all-conquering nature of the Roman Empire. The Church's authority and power were closely linked to the Roman ruling elite, and when the Empire ended in 476 AD, the Church aligned itself with the Franks, the next regional superpower. This continued during the Crusades, where the Church's association with dominant secular authorities and its reactionary and bellicose nature mirrored the militaristic manner of the Roman Empire.
Furthermore, the basic tenets of Catholicism and the structure of church leadership were formalised by Roman Emperor Constantine, who played a pivotal role in shaping the religion. In 313 CE, Constantine legalised Christianity, and in 380 CE, Roman Catholicism became the official religion of the Roman Empire. The First Council of Nicaea in 325 CE attempted to organise church leadership using a model inspired by the Roman system. The Catholic Church's conception as a leading religion at the hands of Constantine influenced its association with violence and expansionism.
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The spread of Christianity
Catholicism, one of the three major branches of Christianity, is the largest Christian denomination with 1.27 to 1.4 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 teaches that it was founded by Jesus Christ in his Great Commission.
In 33 CE, Saint Peter was Rome's first bishop and the consecrator of Linus as its next bishop, thus starting the unbroken line of pontiffs that includes the most recent pope, Pope Francis (2013-2025) and his successor, Pope Leo XIV (elected in 2025).
In 313 CE, Roman Emperor Constantine legalised Christianity. In 325 CE, the First Council of Nicaea was convened by Constantine I. The Council attempted to structure church leadership around a model similar to the Roman system and also formalised key articles of faith. In 380 CE, mainstream Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire.
In 551 CE, at the Council of Chalcedon, the head of the church in Constantinople was declared to be the head of the Eastern branch of the church, equal in authority to the Pope. This marked the beginning of the division of the church into the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic branches.
In 590 CE, Pope Gregory I consolidated the lands controlled by the authority of the pope, marking the official beginning of the Roman Catholic Church. This period also saw the establishment of the Papal States.
In the 16th century, Protestantism emerged and has since splintered into thousands of man-made, doctrinally disagreeing denominations. In 1517, Martin Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses, protesting key points of Catholic doctrine and the sale of indulgences.
In the 17th century, Catholic theologians were forced to support conciliarism and deny papal infallibility. In 1685, King Louis XIV of France revoked the Edict of Nantes, ending a century of religious tolerance.
In the 1870s, the First Vatican Council declared the policy of papal infallibility, which holds that the Pope's decisions are beyond reproach and are considered the word of God. In the 1960s, the Second Vatican Council reaffirmed church policy and initiated measures to modernise the Catholic Church.
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The development of Catholic doctrine
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman 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 Church contends that its origin is the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ in approximately AD 30. The Catholic Church proclaims itself to be the church that Jesus Christ died for, the church that was established and built by the apostles.
The term "development of doctrine" was introduced by John Henry Newman in his 1845 book, "An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine". Newman's theory of the development of doctrine states that Catholic teaching has become more detailed and explicit over the centuries, while later statements of doctrine remain consistent with earlier statements. For example, in the 16th century, Erasmus controversially suggested, from historical evidence, the reality of the development of doctrine in some important areas, such as papal supremacy and the Trinity and filioque.
Newman's theory of development of doctrine was influenced by his study of Christian doctrines in the second century and how they were articulated differently in later centuries. This needed an explanation to validate the truth of Christianity. Newman's theory was not without its critics, who argued that he created a theory that made the “new” doctrines cohere with history. However, his theory was influential, and his intensive study of the development of doctrine eventually led him to convert to Catholicism.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, traces its origins to the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ in approximately AD 30.
Catholics believe that Jesus founded the Church, and that the Church was established and built by the apostles. The Church was first headquartered in Jerusalem, then Antioch, and finally Rome.
Catholics traditionally trace the origins of the papal office in Rome directly back to Saint Peter, who led the early Church and was martyred in Rome around 64 C.E. Jesus told Peter, "You are the rock", and every pope since has been part of this apostolic line.
Saint Paul, originally known as Apostle Paul, established churches across the Roman Empire. He worked with Peter and wrote letters that are still read during Mass today.
In 313 C.E., Roman Emperor Constantine I became Christian and legalised Christianity, allowing the Catholic Church to flourish. In 380 C.E., Roman Catholicism became the official religion of the Roman Empire.
