The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church,[note 1] is the world's largest Christian church and claims over a billion members, representing approximately half of all Christians[note 2] and one-sixth of the world's population. The Catholic Church is a communion of the Western, or (Latin Rite) Church, and 22 autonomous Eastern Catholic Churches (called particular churches), comprising a total of 2,795 dioceses in 2008. The Church's highest earthly authority in matters of faith, morality, and governance is the Pope, currently Pope Benedict XVI, who holds supreme authority in concert with the College of Bishops, of which he is the head.

The Catholic community is made up of an ordained ministry and the laity; members of either group may belong to organized religious communities. The Church defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity. It operates social programs and institutions throughout the world, including schools, universities, hospitals, missions and shelters, as well as organizations such as Catholic Relief Services, Caritas Internationalis and Catholic Charities that help the poor, families, the elderly and the sick.

Through apostolic succession, the Catholic Church believes itself to be the continuation of the original Christian community founded by Jesus in his selection of Saint Peter, a view shared by many historians. The Catholic Church considers its bishops to be validly ordained according to the doctrine of apostolic succession, making them valid and true successors to the twelve Apostles. It is believed, therefore, that the bishops, priests and deacons receive spiritual and sacramental authority, via the twelve Apostles, from Christ.

In addition, the Church lays claim to the Primacy of Simon Peter and the Primacy of the Roman Pontiff by virtue of the Pope's title as the Bishop of Rome. Other churches such as the Eastern Orthodox churches and the Anglican Communion recognize the valid consecration of the Catholic Church's bishops as well as the primacy of the Bishop of Rome although they interpret that primacy differently. The Church has defined its doctrines through various ecumenical councils, following the example set by the first Apostles in the Council of Jerusalem.

On the basis of promises made by Jesus to his apostles, described in the Gospels, the Church believes that it is guided by the Holy Spirit and thereby protected from falling into doctrinal error.

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