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Roman Catholicism
Also known as: Roman Catholic Church
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History & Society
Recent News
Apr. 14, 2024, 10:40 AM ET (AP)
Polish opponents of abortion march against recent steps to liberalize strict law
Apr. 14, 2024, 8:02 AM ET (AP)
Unfazed by danger and power, Guatemalan cardinal keeps up fight for migrants and the poor
Apr. 13, 2024, 4:14 PM ET (AP)
Vatican complains after French court rules in favor of nun dismissed from religious order
Apr. 12, 2024, 1:29 PM ET (AP)
Polish lawmakers vote to move forward with work on lifting a near-total abortion ban
Apr. 12, 2024, 7:18 AM ET (AP)
Pope will travel to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore in longest trip of papacy
Top Questions
What is the difference between Christianity and Roman Catholicism?
Who founded Roman Catholicism?
What are the Roman Catholic sacraments?
Why is Roman Catholicism so prominent in Latin America?
Roman Catholicism, Christian church that has been the decisive spiritual force in the history of Western civilization. Along with Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism, it is one of the three major branches of Christianity. It is led by the pope, as the bishop of Rome, and the Holy See forms the church’s central government, making decisions on issues of faith and morality for the some 1.3 billion Catholics throughout the world; the Holy See is assisted by the Roman Curia, a group of dicasteries (also known as departments), congregations, and councils with specific functions and responsibilities relating to church matters such ...(100 of 56687 words)