F. Development of Catholicism

Catholicism developed in the Western Roman Empire and spread from Constantinople. It formed when Constantine, the first Christian Roman emperor, made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Map of Roman Empire

G. Catholicism Demographics

Catholicism is concentrated mostly in South America and Western Europe. It has over 1 billion members.

World distributions of Catholics

E. Catholic Differences from Other Branches

Catholicism has more members than any other branch of Christianity. It differs from other main branches in that it is led by a pope, and that its members perform the seven sacraments. Also, Catholics perform some rituals differently than members of other branches of Christianity, such as communion or baptism.

Pope Benedict XVI

D. Catholic Differences from Other Monotheistic Religions

Catholicism differs from Islam and Judaism in the fact that Catholics worship and recognize Jesus Christ as the son of God. They read the Bible and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. Catholics do not fast like Jews and Muslims.

The Holy Bible

C. Catholic Rituals and Traditions

Catholics attend a weekly mass at church, where they praise and worship God, read the Bible, and listen to a sermon from their priest. They also celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ through communion. In communion, Catholics eat symbols that represent the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Infants are baptized at a young age.

A priest leading communion

B. Catholic Holy Book and Holy Days

The Bible is the holy book of the Catholics. Catholics celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus, and Easter, his resurrection after his death.

A painting of the Nativity scene, part of the story of the birth of Christ

A. Catholic Place of Worship

Catholics worship in churches, which include basilicas, minsters and cathedrals. These are generally very large, with stained glass windows and pews. However they vary in appearance depending on what period of time they were built in.

The Cathedral Metropolitana de Sao Paulo, Brazil