Roman Catholic Church

The Catholic Church, based in Rome and headed by the Pope, is the oldest institution in the western world.

Photo shows the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City, residence of the Pope.

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Roman Catholic Church

The Catholic Church, based in Rome and headed by the Pope, is the oldest institution in the western world.

The Pope

The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church. The current Pope is Benedict XVI who took over the post from John Paul II in 2005.

The Vatican in pictures

At 0.44 sq km in size, the Vatican City is the smallest state in the world. See its historic buildings, artwork and monuments.

Vatican country profile (from BBC News)

The Vatican is the smallest independent state in the world and the residence of the spiritual leadership of the Roman Catholic church.

Tridentine Mass

The old form of Mass, in Latin, that was replaced following the second Vatican Council in the 1960s. Pope Benedict XVI may soon give permission for it to be used again.

Doctrine of the Assumption

This teaches that at the end of her life, Mary, the mother of Christ, was taken body and soul into heaven.

Doctrine of the Immaculate Conception

This teaches that Mary, the mother of Christ, was conceived without sin.

Doctrine of Transubstantiation

Catholics believe that bread and wine becomes the literal body and blood of Christ during Mass. They celebrate this belief at the Corpus Christi festival.

Teachings about abortion

The Church says that deliberately causing an abortion is a grave moral wrong.

Teachings about animals

Animals have both an intrinsic value and a place in God's kingdom.

Teachings about capital punishment

The Church now opposes the death penalty unless it is the only possible way to protect other people.

Teachings about contraception

Artificial birth control being "intrinsically evil", Catholics are only permitted to use natural methods.

Teachings about euthanasia

The Church believes that the sacredness of human life is incompatible with any 'right to die'.

Teachings about Liberation Theology

The Church criticises Liberation Theology as over-emphasising a purely secular humanitarianism.

Teachings about organ donation

The Vatican strongly supports organ donation.

Teachings about original sin

"It is human nature so fallen... that is transmitted to all men, and it is in this sense that every man is born in sin."

Teachings about war

Modern Christians think war is rarely justified and should be avoided unless it is a Just War.