The Roman Catholic Church, officially known as the Catholic Church,McClintock, p. 71, quote: "The name may be found in a number of Roman Catholic writers, and is generally used in the constitution of those states in which the Roman Catholic Church is recognized as one of the recognized or tolerated State churches. It is, however, not the official name used by the authorities of the Church–who rather dislike it, and substitute for it the name 'Catholic' or 'Holy Catholic' Church. The name 'Roman Church' is applied, in the language of the Church, to the Church or diocese of the Bishop of Rome." is the world's largest Christian Church, representing over half of all Christians and one-sixth of the world's population. It is made up of one Western church (the Latin Rite) and twenty-two Eastern Catholic churches, divided into 2,782 bishoprics. The Church looks to the pope, currently Benedict XVI, as its highest human authority in matters of faith, morality and Church governance. The community is made up of an ordained ministry and the laity; members of either group may belong to organized religious communities.Schreck, p. 153

The Catholic Church defines its mission as spreading the message of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity.Barry, pp. 50–1 The Church operates social programs and institutions throughout the world, including schools, universities, hospitals, missions and shelters, as well as organisations such as Catholic Relief Services, Caritas Internationalis and Catholic Charities that help the poor, families, the elderly and the sick.Barry, pp. 98–9

The Church and many historians believe it to be the continuation, through apostolic succession, of the Christian community founded by Jesus in his consecration of Saint Peter.Wilken, p. 281, quote: "Some (Christian communities) had been founded by Peter, the disciple Jesus designated as the founder of his church. ... Once the position was institutionalized, historians looked back and recognized Peter as the first pope of the Christian church in Rome" The Church has defined its doctrines through various ecumenical councils, following the example set by the first Apostles in the Council of Jerusalem.Schreck, p. 152 On the basis of promises that Jesus made to his apostles, it believes that it is guided by the Holy Spirit and so protected from falling into doctrinal error.Barry, pp. 37, 43–4 Catholic faith is summarized in the Nicene Creed and detailed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Formal Catholic worship is ordered by the liturgy, which is regulated by Church authority. The Eucharist, one of seven Church sacraments and a key part of every Catholic Mass, is the center of Catholic worship.