| − | The '''Catholic Church''', sometimes known officially as the '''Roman Catholic Church''', is a denomination of [[Christianity]] headquartered in [[Vatican City]] in [[Rome]]. The Catholic Church teaches the Messiahship and Divinity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and professes worship of the God of [[Abraham]], of the Hebrew Scriptures. The Catholic Church has a single leader or head, the [[pope]], the [[Bishop]] of [[Rome]]. The current pope is [[Pope Francis|Francis]]. Present day governance of the Church is divided hierarchically into dioceses, each overseen by a diocesan bishop, who in turn oversees diocesan priests and deacons on the level of the individual parish. | + | The '''Roman Catholic Church'' is a denomination of [[Christianity]] headquartered in [[Vatican City]] in [[Rome]]. The Catholic Church teaches the Messiahship and Divinity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and professes worship of the God of [[Abraham]], of the Hebrew Scriptures. The Catholic Church has a single leader or head, the [[pope]], the [[Bishop]] of [[Rome]]. The current pope is [[Pope Francis|Francis]]. Present day governance of the Church is divided hierarchically into dioceses, each overseen by a diocesan bishop, who in turn oversees diocesan priests and deacons on the level of the individual parish. |
| | The word "catholic" means "universal." Its use as a name for the Church comes from Nicene-Constantinople Creed of 381, which defines the church as, "one, holy, catholic and apostolic." In the Christological controversy of the fourth century, Catholics opposed the heresy of [[Arianism]]. | | The word "catholic" means "universal." Its use as a name for the Church comes from Nicene-Constantinople Creed of 381, which defines the church as, "one, holy, catholic and apostolic." In the Christological controversy of the fourth century, Catholics opposed the heresy of [[Arianism]]. |