katholinen
Catholics are adherents of the Catholic Church, the world’s largest Christian church. They trace their tradition to Jesus Christ and the apostles and recognize the Pope in Rome as the universal leader of the church, in communion with the College of Bishops. The Catholic Church comprises the Latin Church (Roman Rite) and 23 Eastern Catholic Churches, each with its own liturgical rites and disciplines.
Beliefs and practices center on the Nicene Creed, the sacraments, and the church’s moral teaching. The seven
Organizationally, the church is hierarchical: the Pope governs from Vatican City; bishops oversee dioceses; priests celebrate
History and scope: the church traces to the early Christian communities, developed through the centuries, and
Demographics and influence: about 1.3 billion adherents worldwide, with large communities in Europe, the Americas, Africa,
Contemporary issues: the church confronts modern questions on ethics, social teaching, clerical abuse reforms, and debates