Why is Rome the headquarters of the Catholic Church?

Answer 1

For a long time there has been Papal States in a large portion of what is now the Italy. En 1870, the States were invaded and the Pope had to take refuge in the Vatican palace.

Rome became the capital of the newly founded Italy. The Pope stayed in the Vatican, which became an autonomous state 60 years later in 1929.

So to sum it up: the Vatican state is in Rome because the Vatican palace was in Rome when Papal States were invaded. It is all that remains of these former Papal States.

Answer 2

In the early years of the Church, Rome ruled most of the known world and Rome was, in a sense, the center of the universe. Catholic tradition holds that St. Peter, the first pope, traveled to Rome to minister to the Church from that city but was taken prisoner and crucified under Emperor Nero. Since that time Rome has been the traditional home of the pope except for about 70 years when it was moved to Avignon, France.

Answer 3

Because the Pope lives there.

Roman Catholic AnswerThe Vatican Hill in Rome was where St. Peter was buried. Pope Symmachus (498-514) first built a Basilica over his tomb and the St. Peter's successors have resided there ever since, except for the Avignon Popes (1309-1377).

Answer 4

Because Vatican City is where the Pope is, and the Pope is the leader of the Catholic Church because he is the successor of St. Peter, on whom the Church is built.

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Catholic AnswerFirst of all, there is no "Roman Catholic Church", it's just the Catholic Church, "Roman Catholic Church" is a slur that came into common use in England after the protestant revolt.

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Secondly, although it is true that the Holy Father resides in the Vatican, the reason he does so is because that was the seat of the first pope: St. Peter, and that is where he was buried. St. Peter's Basilica was built over his tomb, actually, his tomb is directly beneath the high altar in St. Peter's- you may view it today if you go to Rome.

Answer 5

Peter is considered the first pope even though the term 'pope' did not come into common usage until much later. Whether Peter was in Jerusalem, Antioch, Rome or elsewhere, he is still considered the first pope. Later, as the Church grew and a hierarchy developed. the Church established its headquarters in Rome as Rome was considered the center of the world at the time. It had good roads reaching out to the vast empire as well as ships that plied the Mediterranean. Missionaries could reach anywhere in the known world from Rome. As the pope was the highest ranking Church authority in Rome, he was automatically consider the Bishop of Rome.

Tradition says that Peter was executed in Rome and the main altar of St. Peter's Basilica was built over his tomb.

Answer 6

In the earliest days of the Church, Rome ruled pretty much the entire known world. "All roads lead to Rome" as the saying went. With Rome's advanced transportation infrastructure and the means to reach even the most distant areas of the empire, Rome was the place to establish the headquarters of the Church. Jerusalem was on the outer fringes of the empire and it was much more difficult to expand from that city. It was a good decision as Rome destroyed Jerusalem in AD70 and scattered the Israelis throughout the world.

Answer 7

The Apostles Peter and Paul set up the Church in Rome, and were martyred in Rome. After their deaths, Peter's successor was considered to be the bishop who succeeded him in Rome.

Answer 8

Vatican is so important to the roman catholics because it is where our pope lives.

Answer 9

Yes, Vatican City is an independent country surrounded by the city of Rome.