Frequently Asked Questions about the Catholic faith and the Church.
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The Catholic Faith > History of the Catholic Church > Catholicism and the Monarchy >
The spiritual leader of the Catholic Church - the biggest Christian denomination, with a billion members worldwide.
A ‘saint’ is someone who has been canonised - a holy man or woman who has died may be canonised if it is deemed they lived a life of heroic virtue.
A bishop heads up a local 'diocese'. Dioceses with large or important cities may have an Archbishop and assistant bishops called auxiliaries.
The Cardinals of the Catholic Church are the most senior clergymen (priests) in the Church below the Pope.
The Catholic Church's teaching on the environment written in 2010.
Mass is the central act of worship in the life of a Catholic. Going to Mass is about spending time with God, but also receiving his graces.
A priest first of all is a baptised man who has heard God calling him to a particular role in the Church – that of ministerial priesthood.
The Apostolic Nunciature is the Embassy of the Holy See in a particular country.
An Apostolic Nuncio is the Pope's representative in a particular country and enables communication between the Holy See and the Government of that country.
