The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.28 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2024. 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 church consists of 24 sui iuris (autonomous) churches, including the Latin Church and 23 Eastern Catholic Churches, which comprise almost 3,500 dioceses and eparchies around the world, each overseen by one or more bishops. The pope, who is the bishop of Rome, is the chief pastor of the church.
Pope Francis lies in state in St Peter's Basilica as thousands gather to pay tribute
Pope Francis' funeral will take..
Argentina bids farewell to Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff
The death of Pope Francis, the first Latin..
Pope Francis funeral arrangements are now in motion after his sudden passing at 88. The Vatican, world leaders, and cardinals are..
As the world mourns Pope Francis, a tender and forgotten chapter of his youth has resurfaced. Long before he became the spiritual..
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has paid tribute to Pope Francis, calling his death "deeply saddening" and a moment of..
