1. Vatican City has the highest crime rate in the world!
With a population around 500 people and a little over one
crime per day, the Vatican crime rate is above 100
percent, per capita. Although the fact is shocking it
should be remembered that the Vatican is about one
square mile in size, and has nearly 20 million visitors
annually. Most of the crimes are pickpockets, purse
snatching and other petty offenses done by outsiders.
2. The ONLY Christian church in existence for the first
1,000 years of Christian history was the Roman Catholic
Church. All other Christian churches which exist today can
trace their linage back to the Roman Catholic Church.
Most non-Catholic churches which exist today are less
than a century or two old by comparison.
3. The Catholic Church consists of more than just the
Roman Catholic Church. There are 22 Eastern Rites that
are in full communion with Rome and although they go by
different names, they are every bit as much a part of the
Catholic Church.
4. Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing
press, was Catholic and the first book ever printed was
the Catholic Bible.
5. The Catholic Church is entirely responsible for the
composition of the Bible, which books are included, as well
as the breakup of the chapters and verses. Protestants
have removed some books of the Bible because some of the
verses were inconsistent with their theology. Martin
Luther was a prime offender in this regard, removing
Tobit, Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach and
Baruch. He also made an effort to remove James and
Revelations, but this was rejected by his followers and
those two books were kept. Catholics are often accused of
"adding" the books, but despite this common belief, it is
false. Older, pre-Protestant, Catholic translations of the
Bible include them.
6. How many saints are recognized by the Catholic
Church? There does not seem to be an official number, but
it exceeds 10,000. Of course, any person who enters
heaven is a saint, by definition, so it is certain the
number of actual saints in existence is much greater than
the number recognized by the Church.
7. Any Catholic may perform an emergency baptism, such
as if a person is in grave danger of death. In such a case,
the validity of the baptism only depends upon the wishes of
the person being baptized, that they desire the baptism.
There are specific guidelines for such practices that
Catholics should follow. Anyone wishing to be prepared for
such a case should refer to the catechism for a deeper
understanding of this allowance. Generally, such
practices ought to be left to trained clergy.
8. About 15 percent of all hospitals in the United States
are Catholic hospitals. In some parts of the world, the
Catholic Church provides the only healthcare, education
and social services available to people.
9. The Catholic Church spends more money than Apple
brings in. Expenditures by the Catholic Church, largely on
charity, exceeded $170 billion in 2012, according to The
Economist magazine. In that same year, Apple took in
$157 billion in revenue.
10. The Pope is protected by the Swiss Papal Guard.
Wearing uniforms designed by Michelangelo and commonly
armed with halberds, they are capable of using heavier
weapons if needed. Each member is Catholic, male, and
Swiss, and must complete military training in Switzerland.
They must demonstrate good conduct and be at least five-
foot-eight in height. Those who are chosen are granted a
private audience with the pope along with their families.
In extreme circumstances, they are expected to guard the
Holy Father with their lives. The Swiss Papal Guard is the
oldest active military unit in continual existence since
1506.
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