According to Wikipedia: "The Roman Catholic Church, officially known as the Catholic Church is the world''s largest Christian church, representing over half of all Christians and one-sixth of the world''s population. The Catholic Church is a communion of 23 sui juris particular churches. Among these are the Western Rite (Latin Rite) and Eastern Catholic Churches comprising 2,782 dioceses. The Church''s highest earthly authority in matters of faith, morality and Church governance is the pope, currently Benedict XVI who holds supreme authority over the Church in concert with the College of Bishops, of which he is the head. The community is made up of an ordained ministry and the laity; members of either group may belong to organized religious communities."
