What is the Catholic Church?
The short answer
The Catholic Church is the community founded by Jesus Christ on the apostles, with Peter as its visible head. It is "one, holy, catholic and apostolic," led today by the bishops in communion with the Pope, the successor of Peter. It is both a visible institution and the mystical Body of Christ.
Founded by Christ
Jesus said to Peter, "you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). He chose twelve apostles, gave them authority to teach, forgive and celebrate the Eucharist, and promised to be with them "until the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).
The meaning of the word
Church (Greek ekklēsia) means "those called out" — a people gathered by God (CCC 751). Catholic (from katholikos) means "universal" or "according to the whole." Saint Ignatius of Antioch used the phrase "the Catholic Church" around A.D. 107.
The four marks
The Nicene Creed names four marks of the true Church (CCC 811):
- One — one faith, one sacramental life, one apostolic succession.
- Holy — made holy by Christ, despite the sins of her members.
- Catholic — possessing the fullness of the means of salvation and sent to all peoples.
- Apostolic — founded on the apostles, teaching what they taught, and led by their successors, the bishops.
A visible and spiritual reality
The Church is not only an organization. Saint Paul calls it the Body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23) and "the pillar and foundation of truth" (1 Timothy 3:15). It is at once human and divine — which is why it can contain sinners and still be holy.
How many Catholics?
More than 1.3 billion people, in the Latin (Roman) Church and twenty-three Eastern Catholic Churches, all in full communion with the Bishop of Rome.