Roman Catholicism

Roman Catholicism is the largest branch of Christianity and traces its roots to Jesus and the apostles in the 1st century CE, with a strong institutional shape emerging around the bishop of Rome (the pope) over the first millennium. Catholics believe in one God in three Persons (the Trinity), the divinity, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the authority of Scripture and Tradition, and the sacramental life of the Church (with seven sacraments, especially the Eucharist).

The pope and the bishops in communion with him form a teaching authority (the magisterium) that interprets doctrine. Catholicism emphasizes grace, faith, and works, a visible Church, and continuity with the early Christian community. Compared with other religions presented on Vows.biz, it is distinctively centered on Christ, the sacraments, and a global hierarchical structure led by the pope.