Roman Catholicism
Chalcedonian Christian denomination upholding the hypostatic union of Christ's two natures.
Roman Catholicism is a branch of Chalcedonian Christianity, accepting the Christological Definition of Chalcedon and the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed. It upholds Chalcedonian Christology, which states that Jesus Christ has two natures, divine and human, united in one hypostasis without mixture or confusion. Roman Catholicism is one of the denominations that uphold Chalcedonian Christology, along with Eastern Orthodoxy, Lutheranism, Anglicanism, and Calvinism.
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Lore & Background
Roman Catholicism is part of the overwhelming majority of Christianity that accepts Chalcedonian Christology. This doctrine, defined at the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451, affirms that Jesus Christ possesses two natures—divine and human—united in one hypostasis (person). The council also confirmed the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, committing Chalcedonian Christianity to Nicene Christianity. Roman Catholicism, along with Eastern Orthodoxy, Lutheranism, Anglicanism, and Calvinism, upholds this Christology. The council rejected Arianism, Modalism, Ebionism, Nestorianism, Eutychianism, and Monophysitism as heresies. The Hypostatic Union teaches that Christ's human nature was assumed at the incarnation without change to the divine nature, and that Christ is not a human person, as that would imply a second created hypostasis.
Reader's Guide
Roman Catholicism's core teaching is the Chalcedonian Definition: Jesus Christ has two natures, divine and human, unmixed and unconfused, united in one divine hypostasis. This doctrine rejects single-nature ideas like Apollinarism and Eutychianism, which were taught by a minority around the time of Chalcedon to explain seeming contradictions. The council also affirmed Trinitarianism and the hypostatic union, rejecting Arianism, Modalism, and Ebionism (previously rejected at the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325). Roman Catholicism is one of the denominations that accept these resolutions, placing it within the Chalcedonian Christian tradition alongside Eastern Orthodoxy, Lutheranism, Anglicanism, and Calvinism.
Did You Know?
- Roman Catholicism accepts the Christological Definition of Chalcedon from AD 451, which states Jesus Christ has two natures, divine and human, in one hypostasis.
- The Council of Chalcedon confirmed the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, committing Chalcedonian Christianity to Nicene Christianity.
- Roman Catholicism is one of the denominations that uphold Chalcedonian Christology, along with Eastern Orthodoxy, Lutheranism, Anglicanism, and Calvinism.
- The council rejected Arianism, Modalism, Ebionism, Nestorianism, Eutychianism, and Monophysitism as heresies.
- The Hypostatic Union teaches that Christ's human nature was assumed at the incarnation without any change to the divine nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Roman Catholicism?
It is the largest branch of Christianity, tracing its lineage back to the apostles and centered on the Nicene Creed. It is organized into 24 self-governing churches, with the Latin Church being the largest among them.
How many people belong to the Catholic Church?
As of 2026, roughly 1.28 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics are spread across the globe. The majority now live outside Europe, having grown through centuries of missions, immigration, and local conversions.
Who is the current head of the Catholic Church?
The current pope is Leo XIV, who serves as the successor of Saint Peter and the supreme authority of the Holy See. He governs the worldwide institution through the Roman Curia and its network of nearly 3,500 dioceses and eparchies.
What are the seven sacraments in Catholicism?
The seven sacraments are the central rites through which Catholics believe grace is dispensed, including Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. The Eucharist holds a special place as the source and summit of the entire sacramental life.
How does the Catholic Church differ structurally from other Christian denominations?
Unlike most Protestant or Orthodox bodies, it maintains a single visible hierarchy headed by the pope in Rome, supported by bishops in each diocese or eparchy. It also encompasses 23 Eastern Catholic Churches that follow their own liturgical traditions while remaining in full communion with the Latin Church.
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