Apostolic constitutionAn apostolic constitution (Latin: constitutio apostolica) is the most solemn form of legislation issued by the Pope. It is one of several types of papal bull that can be issued by the Holy See. This high-level document normally deals with matters related to the governance and structure of the Catholic Church such as confirming laws, regulations, or institutions within the Church. Apostolic constitutions are issued as papal bulls because of their solemn, public form.
Custom (Catholic canon law)In the canon law of the Catholic Church, custom is the repeated and constant performance of certain acts for a defined period of time, which, with the approval of the competent legislator, thereby acquire the force of law. A custom is an unwritten law introduced by the continuous acts of the faithful with the consent of the legitimate legislator.
Catholic higher educationCatholic higher education includes universities, colleges, and other institutions of higher education privately run by the Catholic Church, typically by religious institutes. Those tied to the Holy See are specifically called pontifical universities.Ex corde Ecclesiae
ObrogationIn civil law, obrogation (Latin: obrogat from obrogare) is the modification or repeal of a law in whole or in part by issuing a new law. In the canon law of the Catholic Church, obrogation is the enacting of a contrary law that is a revocation of a previous law; it may also be the partial cancellation or amendment of a law, decree, or legal regulation by the imposition of a newer one.
Holy SeeJurisdiction of the Catholic Church and Vatican CityThe Holy See (Latin: Sancta Sedes, lit. 'Holy Chair', Ecclesiastical Latin pronunciation:; Italian: Santa Sede), also called the See of Rome, the Petrine See or the Apostolic See, is the central governing body of the Catholic Church and Vatican City.Canon law of the Catholic ChurchCanon law (from Latin ius canonicum) is the system of religious laws and ecclesiastical legal principles made and enforced by the hierarchical authorities of the Catholic Church to regulate its external organization and government and to order and direct the activities of Catholics toward the mission of the Church.
Pope FrancisHead of the Catholic Church from 2013 to 2025OrdersOrdination13 December 1969byRamón José CastellanoConsecration27 June 1992byAntonio QuarracinoCreated cardinal21 February 2001byJohn Paul IIRankCardinal priestPersonal detailsBornJorge Mario Bergoglio(1936-12-17)17 December 1936Buenos Aires, ArgentinaDied21 April 2025(2025-04-21) (aged88)Domus Sanctae Marthae, Vatican CityBuriedSanta Maria Maggiore, Rome, ItalyEducationMaximum College of St. JosephPhilosophical and Theological Faculty of San MiguelMilltown Institute of Theology and PhilosophySankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and TheologyMottoMiserando atque eligendo(Latin for 'By having mercy and by choosing')SignatureCoat of armsOrdination historyPapacy2013 conclaveBenevacantismPapal inaugurationPastoral visitsLampedusaCardinals createdCanonizationsJohn XXIII and John Paul IIBeatificationsVenerable people declaredYear of MercyTeachings and writingsTheologyBibliographyEncyclicalsLumen fideiLaudato si'Fratelli tuttiDilexit nosEvangelii gaudiumAmoris laetitiaGaudete et exsultateQuerida AmazoniaLaudate DeumHopeChurch governance and reformPraedicate evangeliumCouncil of CardinalsSynod on SynodalityInstitute for the Works of ReligionVos estis lux mundiTraditionis custodesFiducia supplicansSocial and moral issuesLGBTQ topicsCapital punishmentWorld Day of the PoorCanadian Indian residential school systemEcumenism and interfaith relationsEcumenism and interreligious dialogueDocument on Human FraternityDiplomacy and world affairsHoly See–United States relationsOrdo AmorisCuba–Holy See relationsChina–Holy See relationsHoly See–Palestine relationsAgreementGaza ChurchHoly See–Russia relationsRussian invasion of UkraineChild abductions in the Russo-Ukrainian warHealth, death, and legacyDeath and funeralReactions2025 conclavePope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio; 17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City from 13 March 2013 until his death in 2025.
Pontifical university and athenaeumA pontifical university or athenaeum is a highly distinguished and authoritative ecclesiastical university of the highest standing, established or approved directly by the Holy See. It is traditionally composed of three principal ecclesiastical faculties (Theology, Philosophy and Canon Law) and one other faculty.
Pope John Paul IIHead of the Catholic Church from 1978 to 2005Early life and church careerEarly lifePriesthoodEpiscopate and cardinalatePapacyOctober 1978 conclavePastoral visitsWorld Youth DayGreat Jubilee of 2000Cardinals createdBeatifications by John Paul IICanonizations by John Paul IITeachings and writingsTheologyTheology of the BodyCulture of lifeEncyclicalsRedemptor hominisDives in misericordiaLaborem exercensSlavorum ApostoliDominum et vivificantemRedemptoris MaterSollicitudo rei socialisRedemptoris missioCentesimus annusVeritatis splendorEvangelium vitaeUt unum sintFides et ratioEcclesia de EucharistiaLove and ResponsibilityMemory and IdentityChurch governance1983 Code of Canon LawCode of Canons of the Eastern ChurchesPastor bonusAd tuendam fidemOrdinatio sacerdotalisPolitical views and activityPolitical viewsHoly See–Soviet Union relationsEcumenism and interfaith relationsEcumenismEastern OrthodoxyJudaismIslamApologiesAssassination attempts and health1981 assassination attemptMehmet Ali AğcaJuan María Fernández y KrohnBojinka plotHealthDeath, canonization, and legacyDeath and funeralBeatificationCanonizationIn popular cultureJohn Paul II Catholic University of LublinJohn Paul II FoundationtPope John Paul II (born Karol Józef Wojtyła; 18 May 1920 – 2 April 2005) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death in 2005.Entry into forceIn law, coming into force or entry into force (also called commencement) is the process by which legislation, regulations, treaties and other legal instruments come to have legal force and effect. The term is closely related to the date of this transition.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.