Baptized Catholics
1,422,000,000
≈ 17.8% of world population (June 2024)
Sancta Sedes
The Vatican
The Holy See, the Roman Pontiff, and the living body of the Catholic Church worldwide.
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The Vatican is the sovereign city-state enclaved in Rome and the seat of the Roman Pontiff. The Pope, as Bishop of Rome and successor of Saint Peter, is the visible head of the Catholic Church worldwide.
Around him serve the Roman Curia, dicasteries and offices that assist in governance, the College of Cardinals, and bishops in communion with Rome across every continent.
Ecclesiastical circumscriptions
3,041
Dioceses, archdioceses, patriarchates, ordinariates, and missions
Bishops
5,525
Including diocesan and religious bishops
Priests
407,421
Diocesan and religious priests serving worldwide
Permanent deacons
52,102
Predominantly in the Americas and Europe
Religious brothers & non-ordained men
48,566
Professed religious who are not priests or deacons
Women religious
586,003
Sisters and nuns in apostolic and contemplative life
Major seminarians
105,158
Men preparing for priesthood (diocesan and religious)
Catechists
2,884,350
Lay catechists serving parishes and missions
Lay missionaries
413,286
Lay faithful in formal missionary service
College of Cardinals
As of May 2026
Total cardinals
242
Papal electors
118
Under age 80
Cardinals under 80 may vote in a conclave. Appointed for life by the Pope.
College of Cardinals
Cardinals are senior clergy appointed by the Pope. Those under 80 elect a new Pope in conclave. They also serve as principal advisors and lead Vatican departments.
Bishops
Each diocese is shepherded by a bishop in apostolic succession. Together with the Pope they form the college of bishops, responsible for teaching, sanctifying, and governing the faithful in their territories.
Priests & deacons
Priests preside at the Eucharist and administer sacraments; deacons serve in liturgy, charity, and preaching. Most priests are diocesan (secular) clergy; others belong to religious institutes.
Religious & laity
Millions of consecrated religious and lay catechists, missionaries, and educators extend the Church’s mission. Baptized Catholics worldwide exceed 1.4 billion.
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Nuntii
Vatican News
Headlines from the Holy See, updated from the official Vatican News feed.
Read latest →Succession
Popes of Rome
Every Roman Pontiff in order, from Saint Peter to the reigning Pope, with dates and canonization status.
Full list →Concilia Oecumenica
Vatican I & II
How the two Vatican Councils differ in scope, emphasis, and pastoral approach.
Compare councils →