The Roman Catholic Church is one of the oldest and biggest churches in the world. It started over 2,000 years ago around the time Jesus was alive. It got its name from the city of Rome, which was the capital of the vast Roman Empire.
The Roman Catholic Church had a long and eventful timeline that was filled with both good and bad moments.
In the year 45 A.D., Jesus asked his apostles and disciples to spread his message and teachings throughout the world. This marked the beginning of the Catholic Church.
Around the year 300 A.D., Emperor Constantine declared that Christianity—the religion at the center of Catholic teachings—was now legal in the Roman Empire. This made it much easier for the Church to grow and spread its message.
The fourth century saw the rise of the Catholic Church as the dominant form of Christianity in Europe. St. Augustine of Hippo wrote important texts about the Church’s beliefs and authority. In the fifth century, the Pope was recognized as the head of the Catholic Church.
In the ninth century, the Church was split in two—the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. The split was caused by disagreements over religious beliefs, practices, and curriculum.
The Middle Ages saw the Catholic Church become an important political, social, and economic force in Europe. The Church was heavily involved in battles between different areas, held power over kings and rulers, and even had its own laws.
The Protestant Reformation in the 1500s led to millions of people leaving the Catholic Church. This was done because many people had begun to disagree with some of the Church’s beliefs and practices.
Since then, the Catholic Church has gone through many changes. The Church has continued to grow and to spread its message throughout the world. Some of its more modern beliefs are more accepting of other religions, and it has begun to emphasize the importance of caring for the environment.