Catholic Church

Christian church based in Rome Catholic ChurchEcclesia CatholicaSt. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, the largest Catholic church building in the worldClassificationCatholicScriptureCatholic BibleTheologyCatholic theologyPolityEpiscopalGovernanceHoly See and Roman CuriaPopeLeo XIVParticular churchessui iuris24Dioceses Archdioceses: 640 Dioceses: 2,851 Parishes221,700 approx.RegionWorldwideLanguageEcclesiastical Latin and native languagesLiturgyLatin and EasternHeadquarters Vatican CityFounderJesus Christ, according tosacred traditionOrigin1st century Roman EmpireSeparations Protestantism Old Catholicism Independent Catholicism (List) Sedevacantism Members1.279 billion according to World Christian Database (2026)1.406 billion according to the Annuario Pontificio (2023)Clergy Bishops: 5,430 Priests: 406,996 Deacons: 51,433 (2023) Hospitals18,000 clinics5,500 hospitalsNursing homes16,000Primary schools95,200Secondary schools43,800Official websitevatican.va Part of a series on theCatholic ChurchSt. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City Overview Pope: Leo XIV Hierarchy History (timeline) Theology Liturgy Sacraments Mary Background Jesus Christ Crucifixion Resurrection Ascension Early Christian