The Catholic Church, with over 1.39 billion members, is the world's largest Christian denomination. As one of the oldest global institutions, it has significantly shaped Western civilization. Led by the Pope, the church's central authority resides in Vatican City. Its structure encompasses numerous dioceses and eparchies across the globe, reflecting its vast and diverse membership.
1903: Papal Election Reform by Pope Pius X
Pope Pius X initiated reforms in 1903 to enhance the independence of papal elections by abolishing the veto power of Catholic powers.
1911: Minor Revisions by Pope Pius X
Pope Pius X made minor revisions to the Roman Missal in 1911.
1914: Start of Benedict XV's Papacy and World War I
Pope Benedict XV's papacy began in 1914 amidst the outbreak of World War I. He sought to mediate between warring powers and provide aid through the Vatican relief office.
1922: Start of Pius XI's Papacy and Conclusion of Vatican Independence
Pope Pius XI assumed the papacy in 1922 and oversaw the final stages of securing the Vatican's independence within Italy.
1929: Lateran Treaty
The Lateran Treaty, signed in 1929, resolved the "Roman Question" by recognizing Vatican City as an independent state under papal sovereignty in exchange for the Holy See's recognition of Italian sovereignty over the former Papal States.
1939: End of Pius XI's Papacy
Pope Pius XI's papacy ended in 1939.
1939: Pius XII's Encyclical Against Racism
Pope Pius XII issued his first encyclical, "Summi Pontificatus," in 1939, condemning the invasion of Poland and denouncing racism.
1942: Diplomatic Efforts to Protect Jews
Starting in 1942, Pope Pius XII initiated diplomatic efforts to prevent the deportation of Jews by Nazi Germany.
1943: Plot to Kidnap Pope Pius XII
Adolf Hitler orchestrated a plan in 1943 to abduct Pope Pius XII and bring him to Germany.
1944: Continued Efforts for Peace and Protection
Pope Pius XII continued his efforts to promote peace and protect persecuted groups, including Jews, throughout World War II.
1950: Dogma of the Assumption of Mary
In 1950, Pope Pius XII, after consultation with Catholic bishops worldwide, declared the Assumption of Mary, the belief that Mary's body ascended directly to heaven at her life's end, as infallible dogma.
1955: Minor Revisions by Pope Pius XII
Pope Pius XII implemented minor revisions to the Roman Missal in 1955.
1962: Continued Use of 1962 Roman Missal
In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI permitted the continued use of the 1962 Roman Missal as an "extraordinary form" of the Roman Rite, referring to it as the usus antiquior or "older use."
1962: Authorization of the 1962 Roman Missal
In certain situations, the 1962 version of the Roman Rite remains permissible for use within the Latin Church.
1962: Pope Benedict XVI's Support for the Tridentine Mass
Pope Benedict XVI advocated for the use of the Tridentine Mass (Roman Missal of 1962), referring to it as the "Extraordinary Form."
1962: Start of the Second Vatican Council
Pope John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council in 1962, marking a period of significant modernization and reform within the Catholic Church.
1962: Publication of 1962 Roman Missal
The 1962 edition of the Roman Missal, the final version to present the Mass as standardized in 1570 by Pope Pius V, was released a few months before the commencement of the Second Vatican Council. This edition, known as the Tridentine Mass, incorporated minor revisions from Pope John XXIII.
1962: Start of the Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council, a major ecumenical council, convened in 1962.
1965: Conclusion of the Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council concluded in 1965, bringing about substantial changes, including the use of vernacular languages in Mass and improved relations with other religions.
1965: Conclusion of the Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council concluded in 1965 after introducing significant reforms.
1968: Annulment Cases in the United States
338 marriages were annulled in the United States in 1968.
1968: Humanae vitae Encyclical
Pope Paul VI issued the encyclical Humanae vitae in 1968, reaffirming the Church's stance against artificial contraception. While permitting natural family planning, the encyclical sparked dissent among those who saw the birth control pill as ethically acceptable.
1969: Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite
Following 1969, the customary form of the Mass within the Roman Rite, as detailed in the post-1969 editions of the Roman Missal, is typically conducted in the local vernacular, employing an officially endorsed translation of the original Latin text.
1969: Promulgation of Paul VI's Edition
Pope Paul VI's edition of the Roman Missal, promulgated in 1969, superseded the 1962 edition.
1969: Promulgation of the Roman Rite Mass
Pope Paul VI, in 1969, promulgated the Roman Rite, the most used form of the Mass (the principal liturgy of the Catholic Church).
1970: Divorce Introduced in Italy
Divorce was legalized in Italy in 1970.
1975: Divorce Introduced in Portugal
Divorce was introduced in Portugal in 1975.
1976: Declaration on the Question of the Admission of Women to the Ministerial Priesthood
In 1976, the Roman Curia issued the "Declaration on the Question of the Admission of Women to the Ministerial Priesthood," representing an early decree against the proposal of women serving as priests.
1977: Divorce Introduced in Brazil
Divorce became legal in Brazil in 1977.
1978: Election of Pope John Paul II
Karol Józef Wojtyła, Archbishop of Kraków, was elected as Pope John Paul II in 1978, becoming the first non-Italian pope in over four centuries.
1979: Mother Teresa Awarded Nobel Peace Prize
Mother Teresa of Calcutta, known for her work with the Missionaries of Charity, received the Nobel Peace Prize for her humanitarian work in India in 1979.
1981: Divorce Introduced in Spain
Spain legalized divorce in 1981.
1983: Promulgation of the 1983 Code of Canon Law
A pivotal year for the legal structure of the Catholic Church, 1983 marked the promulgation of the modern Code of Canon Law.
1983: Code of Canon Law in effect
In 1983, the Code of Canon Law was established, governing the life and organization of the Catholic Church. It distinguishes itself from civil law but can interact with it under specific enactments.
1983: Promulgation of the Code of Canon Law
The Code of Canon Law, a compilation of the Catholic Church's legal system, was promulgated in 1983.
1988: Mulieris Dignitatem
The Vatican continued its stance against the ordination of women in 1988 with the apostolic letter "Mulieris Dignitatem."
1990: Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches enacted
The year 1990 saw the implementation of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (CCEO), a distinct set of regulations governing the autonomous Eastern Catholic Churches.
1990: Publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, a comprehensive summary of Catholic doctrine, was published in 1990.
1990: Promulgation of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches
The Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, a significant legal document within the Catholic Church, was promulgated in 1990.
1994: Ordinatio sacerdotalis
In 1994, Pope John Paul II affirmed the Catholic Church's position to not "consider herself authorised to admit women to priestly ordination" with the apostolic letter "Ordinatio sacerdotalis."
1996: Bishop Belo Receives Nobel Peace Prize
Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996 for his contributions to peace efforts in East Timor.
1996: Divorce Introduced in Ireland
Divorce was legalized in Ireland in 1996.
1998: Contraception Use Among U.S. Catholics
In 1998, Catholics for Choice claimed that 96% of U.S. Catholic women used contraceptives, highlighting a discrepancy between Church teachings and personal practices. The controversy surrounding condom use for HIV/AIDS prevention further illustrated the complex intersection of religious doctrine and public health.
2002: Revision of the Roman Rite Mass
Pope John Paul II revised the Roman Rite Mass in 2002.
2004: Divorce Introduced in Chile
Chile legalized divorce in 2004.
2005: Election of Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI was elected in 2005, known for his conservative stance and emphasis on traditional values.
2006: Annulment Cases and Divorce Statistics
In 2006, over 49,000 marriages were annulled globally, with the US accounting for a significant portion. This marked a substantial increase from 1968. Despite this, divorce rates among Catholics in the US and certain European countries continued to rise, highlighting changing social trends.
2007: Authorization of the 1962 Roman Missal as Extraordinary Form
In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI authorized the continuous utilization of the 1962 Roman Missal, deeming it an "extraordinary form" (forma extraordinaria) of the Roman Rite. This alternative designation, usus antiquior ("older use"), was accompanied by new, more lenient regulations for its implementation.
2007: Summorum Pontificum
In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI's motu proprio Summorum Pontificum granted unrestricted use of the 1962 Roman Missal for Masses celebrated without a congregation. Additionally, it authorized parish priests, under specific conditions, to allow its use in public Masses, albeit exclusively in liturgical Latin except for scriptural readings.
2009: Anglicanorum Coetibus Document
The document "Anglicanorum Coetibus" was released in 2009.
2010: Eastern Catholic Churches membership
As of 2010, the 23 self-governing Eastern Catholic Churches, while significantly smaller than the Latin Church, had a combined membership of 17.3 million.
2010: Catholic Church's Healthcare Impact Highlighted
In 2010, the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers announced that the church manages 26% of global healthcare facilities.
2011: Divorce Introduced in Malta
Malta legalized divorce in 2011.
March 2013: Election of Pope Francis
Pope Francis was elected as the head of the Catholic Church in March 2013.
2013: Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and Election of Pope Francis
Pope Benedict XVI resigned in 2013, becoming the first pope to do so in almost six centuries. Subsequently, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as Pope Francis, marking a historic moment as the first pope from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere.
2013: Pope Francis Quotes Catechism in Interview
During a press interview in 2013, Pope Francis quoted the Catechism.
2014: Clergy in Ordinariates Allowed "Divine Worship"
In 2014, clergy in personal ordinariates for former Anglicans were permitted to use "Divine Worship" (or "Ordinariate Use"), incorporating elements of Anglican liturgy and traditions.
2014: Establishment of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors
Pope Francis established the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors in 2014 to address the sexual abuse scandal by working to safeguard minors.
May 2015: Laudato si' Encyclical
Pope Francis issued the encyclical Laudato si' in May 2015, critiquing consumerism, irresponsible development, and environmental degradation.
2015: Pope Francis' Concerns on Church's Focus
In 2015, Pope Francis expressed concern over the Church's emphasis on issues like abortion, same-sex marriage, and contraception, prioritizing moral doctrines over aiding the poor and marginalized.
2016: Number of parishes worldwide
In 2016, the Catholic Church had 221,700 parishes, each responsible for the regular celebration of sacraments and pastoral care.
2016: Meeting with Patriarch Kirill
Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, met in 2016, representing a significant step in bridging the divide between the two churches since the Great Schism of 1054.
2017: Recognition of Baptism with the Coptic Orthodox Church
During a visit to Egypt in 2017, Pope Francis made a significant ecumenical gesture by establishing mutual recognition of baptism with the Coptic Orthodox Church.
December 2020: Moral Acceptability of COVID-19 Vaccines
In December 2020, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith addressed the use of fetal cell lines in COVID-19 vaccine development. They deemed it morally acceptable to receive such vaccines when alternatives are unavailable, emphasizing the duty to protect oneself and the common good. However, they stressed that vaccination doesn't equate to endorsing abortion.
2020: Catholicism as second-largest religious body
In 2020, Catholicism solidified its position as the second-largest religious group globally, trailing only Sunni Islam.
2020: Fratelli tutti Encyclical
Pope Francis' encyclical Fratelli tutti, released in 2020, further emphasized the Catholic Church's stance against the death penalty, labeling it as "inadmissible".
2021: Catholic Ministers Statistics
At the end of 2021, the Catholic Church had 462,388 ordained ministers, including 5,353 bishops, 407,730 priests, and 50,150 deacons. There were also 3,157,568 catechists, 367,679 lay missionaries, and 39,951 lay ecclesial ministers.
2021: Global Catholic dioceses
By 2021, the Catholic Church had grown to encompass 3,171 dioceses worldwide, each shepherded by a bishop and organized into national or regional episcopal conferences.
2021: Traditionis Custodes
In 2021, Pope Francis issued the motu proprio Traditionis custodes, significantly curtailing the permissions granted by Pope Benedict XVI. This decree aimed to reemphasize the Ordinary Form as promulgated by Popes Paul VI and John Paul II.
January 2022: Pope Francis Condemns Death Penalty
Pope Francis, in his January 2022 address to Vatican ambassadors, reiterated the Church's opposition to the death penalty. He argued that it fails to deter crime or provide justice, instead fueling a cycle of vengeance.
2022: Catholic Church Statistics
In 2022, the Catholic Church reported having 1.39 billion baptized members worldwide.