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Image: Gregorio Borgia/AP/picture allianceImage: Gregorio Borgia/AP/picture alliance

Catholicism

The term 'Catholicism' alludes to the beliefs and practices of Christian denominations that refer to themselves as Catholic.

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All Content on this topic

A painting showing carpenters at work and a mother embracinga red-haired child.

A painting showing carpenters at work and a mother embracinga red-haired child.

What the earliest manuscript about Jesus' infancy reveals

A papyrus featuring a story about Jesus' childhood has triggered global fascination, but the gospel is not new.

A woman clenches her hands in prayer at a Catholic Church in Sioux City, Iowa, United States, on March 25, 2022

A woman clenches her hands in prayer at a Catholic Church in Sioux City, Iowa, United States, on March 25, 2022

US Catholics 'sorry' for abuse of Native American children

US Catholic bishops formally apologized for the forced assimilation and other conditions at church-run boarding schools.

hand holding a red poster reading "Church asylum means solidarity"

hand holding a red poster reading "Church asylum means solidarity"

More and more refugees seek protection in churches

In Germany, religious communities have offered asylum to refugees for decades. But now authorities are intervening.

Olaf Scholz looks up during a climate protest in Erfurt

Olaf Scholz looks up during a climate protest in Erfurt

Germany's Scholz disrupted by protesters at Catholic event

A group of "Last Generation" activists used a bullhorn to shout slogans at the visibly annoyed German leader in Erfurt.

Pope Francis delivering a speech at a church in Venice on April 28, 2024.

Pope Francis delivering a speech at a church in Venice on April 28, 2024.

Pope apologizes after alleged use of homophobic slur

The Vatican issued a rare apology, albeit without acknowledging whether the pontiff actually used the term.

Pope Francis praying before the reading of a papal bull on May 9, 2024

Pope Francis praying before the reading of a papal bull on May 9, 2024

Pope declares 2025 Holy Year

The event happens every quarter century and is expected to attract over 30 million pilgrims.

Pilgrims from Vietnam pose as they gather to attend mass led by Pope Francis at the Steppe Arena in Ulaanbaatar on September 3, 2023

Pilgrims from Vietnam pose as they gather to attend mass led by Pope Francis at the Steppe Arena in Ulaanbaatar on September 3, 2023

Vatican eyes closer ties with communist Vietnam

Religious organizations in Vietnam are tightly under the thumb of the communist authorities.

People protesting against Poland's strict abortion law on June 14, 2023

People protesting against Poland's strict abortion law on June 14, 2023

Poland: Lawmakers send forward bill to ease abortion law

A long-awaited parliamentary discussion on Poland's restrictive abortion laws saw heated debate.

Videostill of host George Okach standing in front of a collage of a painting of Jesus and a photo of a mosque

Videostill of host George Okach standing in front of a collage of a painting of Jesus and a photo of a mosque

Ramadan and Lent share fasting, other similarities

Religious fasting is a spiritual practice that unites Muslims, Christians and many other faiths all over the world.

Pope Francis at St Peter’s Square during Sunday prayers

Pope Francis at St Peter’s Square during Sunday prayers

Pope Francis criticized for Ukraine 'white flag' remarks

Ukraine and its allies denounced the pope for not condemning Russia while calling for Kyiv to negotiate.

Germany's Catholic Church speaks out against far right

German bishops have explicitly positioned themselves against the far-right populist Alternative for Germany party.

Man being escorted out of gate by plainclothes officer

Man being escorted out of gate by plainclothes officer

Australia: Retired bishop charged with child sex crimes

One of Australia's most senior Catholics stands accused of committing several sexual offenses against children.

Climbers hanging from rafters inside a church building

Climbers hanging from rafters inside a church building

Germany: Catholic churches are demolished or repurposed

In the last 10 years, the number of Catholic churches across Germany has been dwindling.

A police officer speaks to Jose Luis Lacunza, a Roman Catholic Cardinal.

A police officer speaks to Jose Luis Lacunza, a Roman Catholic Cardinal.

Panama: Missing cardinal found 'safe and sound'

Jose Luis Lacunza was found by the police near his diocese in western Panama.

Zofia and Franciszek Bojanczyk stand smiling in front of the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes in Warsaw, Poland. Zofia (left) is wrapped up in a scarf and wears a red woolly hat. Her husband, Franciszek (right) wears a blue woolly bobble hat and a paper narcissus that resembles a yellow star on his coat

Zofia and Franciszek Bojanczyk stand smiling in front of the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes in Warsaw, Poland. Zofia (left) is wrapped up in a scarf and wears a red woolly hat. Her husband, Franciszek (right) wears a blue woolly bobble hat and a paper narcissus that resembles a yellow star on his coat

In Poland, young people explore their Jewish roots

About 20,000 people in Poland have Jewish roots. One young couple wants to keep its Jewish family history alive.

Married and same-sex couples take part in a public blessing ceremony in front of the Cologne Cathedral in Cologne, Germany, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.

Married and same-sex couples take part in a public blessing ceremony in front of the Cologne Cathedral in Cologne, Germany, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.

Vatican: Same-sex couple 'blessings' aren't 'heretical'

The Vatican said it could not be "blasphemous," not least because they are "blessings without a liturgical format."

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa in a red frock surrounded by priests, security and Catholic faithful

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa in a red frock surrounded by priests, security and Catholic faithful

Bethlehem: Small Christmas procession held despite Gaza war

This year's Christmas procession in the Holy Land is much smaller than usual, with decorations and festivities canceled.

Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer from his window, at The Vatican

Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer from his window, at The Vatican

Africans differ over clerical blessings for same-sex couples

The pope's approval for same-sex couple blessings has sparked confusion — and left the LGBTQ+ community wanting more.

A church welcoming LGBT+ people to the congregation

A church welcoming LGBT+ people to the congregation

Pope Francis allows Catholic blessings for same-sex couples

The Vatican allows priests to bless same-sex couples, but adds that such blessings are not a sign of approval.

Videostill Dokumentation | Die Geheimnisse des Opus Dei

Videostill Dokumentation | Die Geheimnisse des Opus Dei

The secrets of Opus Dei - Faith, power, manipulation

For many critics, the arch-conservative Catholic community Opus Dei is a diabolical sect.

Governor Mamintal “Bombit” Alonto Adiong, Jr. speaks to the security sector at the MSU Dimaporo Gymnasium in the Philippines

Governor Mamintal “Bombit” Alonto Adiong, Jr. speaks to the security sector at the MSU Dimaporo Gymnasium in the Philippines

Philippines: Blast at Catholic Mass kills several

The self-proclaimed "Islamic State" (IS) group claimed responsibility for the attack in Marawi city.

Pope Francis arrives in the Paul IV hall on the occasion of the weekly general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.

Pope Francis arrives in the Paul IV hall on the occasion of the weekly general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.

Pope Francis 'still not well' after canceling COP28 trip

The 86-year-old pontiff was set to become the first Catholic Church head to address the UN climate summit.

Pope Francis delivers his blessing during the Angelus prayer, from his residence rather than St Peter's Square, on November 26, 2023

Pope Francis delivers his blessing during the Angelus prayer, from his residence rather than St Peter's Square, on November 26, 2023

Pope Francis 'good, stable' but suffers lung inflammation

The Vatican says the Pontiff is showing signs of improvement after suffering from lung inflammation.

View from above of sliced St. Martin's roast goose on a white plate, served with red cabbage and dumplings, with silverware and gravy to the side.

View from above of sliced St. Martin's roast goose on a white plate, served with red cabbage and dumplings, with silverware and gravy to the side.

What do Germans eat for the Feast of Saint Martin?

Roast goose and sweet pretzels: Many Germans celebrate this Catholic holiday with special foods.

Pope Francis during the final mass at the synod in St Peter's Basilica

Pope Francis during the final mass at the synod in St Peter's Basilica

World Synod: Catholic Church identifies areas for reform

After four weeks, an assembly of the world's bishops has come to an end at the Vatican.

Church pews the shadows

Church pews the shadows

Spanish clergy sexually abused 200,000 children: report

Spain's human rights ombudsman found 200,000 people said they were abused by the Catholic clergy as children.

DW Doku Irlands geraubte Kinder

DW Doku Irlands geraubte Kinder

Ireland's stolen children

Getting pregnant out of wedlock was long seen as a disgrace in Catholic Ireland.

St Peter's Basilica at sunset

St Peter's Basilica at sunset

Catholic Church synod: How explosive are calls for reform?

The church is in crisis but a major meeting of bishops in Rome will see unusually open dialogue.

close up of the cardinals sitting, holding their biretta hats in their laps

close up of the cardinals sitting, holding their biretta hats in their laps

Pope Francis' selection of Cardinals marks shift toward Asia

Pope Francis has installed 20 new Cardinals, changing the makeup of the body that will elect his successor.

A thin-faced man, Cardinal Franz Hengsbach, holds a crozier and looks stern

A thin-faced man, Cardinal Franz Hengsbach, holds a crozier and looks stern

Catholic Church investigates claims against late cardinal

Victims groups want to know if Pope Benedict was involved in quashing an investigation a decade ago.

A crowd of people by the Brandenburg Gate holding up banners reading "peace" in different languages, a flag with a dove and the word "Egidio"

A crowd of people by the Brandenburg Gate holding up banners reading "peace" in different languages, a flag with a dove and the word "Egidio"

Religions from around the world gather together in Berlin

A large peace rally organized by the Catholic Sant'Egidio community has brought together people from dozens of faiths.

Bomb-damaged Basilica of St Lawrence in Rome, Italy in 1943

Bomb-damaged Basilica of St Lawrence in Rome, Italy in 1943

Catholic Church hid Jews from Nazis in Rome, research shows

The documents provide the names of at least 3,200 Jews that had been corroborated by Rome's Jewish Community.

Pope Francis greeting two Mongolian children at the House of Mercy

Pope Francis greeting two Mongolian children at the House of Mercy

Pope Francis wraps up Mongolia trip at new homeless shelter

Pope Francis said the Catholic church is driven by faith to help the needy, and not as a way of attracting new converts.

People wave Chinese flags as Pope Francis leaves after presiding over a mass in the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar on September 3

People wave Chinese flags as Pope Francis leaves after presiding over a mass in the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar on September 3

Pope Francis in Mongolia sends greeting to Chinese Catholics

After a mass attended by some groups of Chinese Catholics, the pope told them to be "good Christians and good citizens."

Mongolian President Ukhnaagin Khurelsukh, left, and Pope Francis, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, wave in front of a gigantic statue of the former Khagan of the Mongol Empire Genghis Khan in Sukhbaatar Square in Ulaanbaatar

Mongolian President Ukhnaagin Khurelsukh, left, and Pope Francis, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, wave in front of a gigantic statue of the former Khagan of the Mongol Empire Genghis Khan in Sukhbaatar Square in Ulaanbaatar

In Mongolia, Pope says Church 'has no political agenda'

Pope Francis praised religious freedom in Mongolia and said governments shouldn't fear the Church's work.

Pope Francis is welcomed during his Apostolic Journey in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia September 1, 2023.

Pope Francis is welcomed during his Apostolic Journey in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia September 1, 2023.

Pope Francis celebrates Catholics in Buddhist Mongolia

Pope Francis is known for visiting places where Catholics are a minority, and Mongolia fits the bill.

Pope Francis is received by Mongolia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Batmunkh Battsetseg during his arrival at Chinggis Khaan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar

Pope Francis is received by Mongolia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Batmunkh Battsetseg during his arrival at Chinggis Khaan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar

Pope Francis visits Mongolia's tiny Catholic community

The Catholic Church sanctioned a presence in Mongolia as recently as 1992 after the nation adopted religious freedom.

Pope Francis meets with authorities, civil society and diplomatic corps at Centro Cultural de Belem, during his apostolic journey to Portugal on the occasion of the XXXVII World Youth Day, in Lisbon, Portugal August 2, 2023 in this handout image.

Pope Francis meets with authorities, civil society and diplomatic corps at Centro Cultural de Belem, during his apostolic journey to Portugal on the occasion of the XXXVII World Youth Day, in Lisbon, Portugal August 2, 2023 in this handout image.

Pope Francis calls US Catholic Church 'reactionary'

Pope Francis made the comments in a private discussion during a recent trip to Portugal, but they've now been published.

The outline of the Cologne Cathedral in Cologne, Germany

The outline of the Cologne Cathedral in Cologne, Germany

Cologne church staff used work devices to view porn — report

Though not a criminal offense, accessing pornographic websites on work computers is barred by the German archdiocese.

A picture of late singer Sinead O'Connor is placed around floral tributes outside her former Irish home, in the seaside town of Bray, Ireland.

A picture of late singer Sinead O'Connor is placed around floral tributes outside her former Irish home, in the seaside town of Bray, Ireland.

Ireland says goodbye to Sinead O'Connor

Thousands of people flocked to the Irish coastal town of Bray to pay the singer and activist their respects.

Pope Francis addresses the crowd at a Mass for World Youth Day (WYD) in Tejo Park, Lisbon, Portugal on August 6, 2023

Pope Francis addresses the crowd at a Mass for World Youth Day (WYD) in Tejo Park, Lisbon, Portugal on August 6, 2023

Pope Francis wraps up Portugal visit with huge open-air Mass

The Catholic faithful braved temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius in Lisbon for a glimpse of Pope Francis.

Crowds cheers and wave flags at a World Youth Day event in Lisbon, Portugal

Crowds cheers and wave flags at a World Youth Day event in Lisbon, Portugal

Catholic youth brave heat to see Pope Francis in Lisbon

Officials say 1.5 million young Catholics turned out to see the pontiff at a Saturday World Youth Day vigil.

Young Catholics gathered at the World Youth Day event in Lisbon, some carrying national flags

Young Catholics gathered at the World Youth Day event in Lisbon, some carrying national flags

Accept and listen to abuse victims, pope says in Portugal

Pope Francis told clergy in Portugal a "humble and ongoing purification" was needed after the Church's abuse scandals.

People celebrating the 'Taong Putik,' or 'Mud People,' festival in the Philippines

People celebrating the 'Taong Putik,' or 'Mud People,' festival in the Philippines

Philippine faithful put a local twist on Catholic traditions

Many traditional celebrations are combined with local flair like the "Mud People" festival that takes place every June.

Cloudy sky and silhouette of Cologne Cathedral

Cloudy sky and silhouette of Cologne Cathedral

Why Germany's Catholics are turning their back on the church

Hundreds of thousands of Germans have decided to leave the church. DW spoke with one former "core member."

A German bishop holding a service in Stuttgart

A German bishop holding a service in Stuttgart

Germany: Catholic Church loses half a million members

The flood of people leaving the German Catholic Church has accelerated, breaking another new record in 2022.

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki

Germany: Police raid Cologne Archdiocese in perjury probe

Police have searched properties in Cologne amid accusations that Cardinal Woelki covered up sexual abuse cases.

Teresa Lancaster and Jean Wehner on a footbridge

Teresa Lancaster and Jean Wehner on a footbridge

Catholic Church faces flurry of US abuse cases

DW reporter Kaukab Shairani meets two women who, decades ago, were sexually abused by the same priest.

A cross superimposed on the Cologne cathedral

A cross superimposed on the Cologne cathedral

Court orders Cologne Archdiocese pay €300k in abuse damages

Typically, as in this case, the statute of limitations has expired, but the archdiocese waived its right to avoid trial.

A nightview over the Rhine River with the illuminated Cologne Cathederal on the other side, and ferry boats lined up along the river.

A nightview over the Rhine River with the illuminated Cologne Cathederal on the other side, and ferry boats lined up along the river.

Germany and its churches wrangle over Napoleon's asset grab

Why the German state pays millions of euros to the Christian churches, and shedding the burden could cost it dearly.