We invite visitors to take a tour of the Vatican Website. We hope this draws our Catholic users into a deeper appreciation of the richness of their heritage and the Teaching Magesterium. For our non-Catholic brothers and sisters, we invite you into a new experience with the Universal Church. For those who prefer to learn from the brief summaries provided below, we welcome your interest. These highlights from the Vatican Website will be updated on a regular basis. Enjoy.
The Catholic Church carries out its mission of announcing the truth of the Gospel for the salvation of all humanity and in the service of peace and justice in favor of all peoples, both through the various specific and local Churches spread throughout the world, as well as through its central government. This government is known as the Apostolic See or Holy See and is located within the Vatican City State.
Today, the entire documentation kept in the Vatican Secret Archives occupies eighty-five linear kilometers of bookshelves gathered in over 630 different fonds -- a body of records with its own unitary nature -- and constantly growing. Learn more about the history of the Archives and the historical significance to Catholics throughout the world.
January 1, 2011 Message from Pope Benedict XVI
“At the beginning of the New Year I offer good wishes to each and all for serenity and prosperity, but especially for peace. Sadly, the year now ending has again been marked by persecution, discrimination, terrible acts of violence and religious intolerance.” Learn from the words of Our Holy Father that true religious freedom is the path to peace.
