Christians

Christians comprise one of the most widespread religious communities in the world, albeit divided into many different churches and interpretations. The most widespread community is of course the Catholic Church, whose structure has a well defined hierarchy with the Pope at its head, who is considered to be the direct descendent of Saint Peter, the first leader of the Church. The name “Christianity” is derived from Jesus Christ, from whose birth in many parts of the world the numbering of the years is derived. In 1052 there was an East-West religious schism, marking the birth of the Orthodox Church which broke from the papacy control held in Rome. In the sixteenth century there was the Lutheran schism also. I reality christians are spread mainly in Europe and the Americas, but have fast growing presence in Africa. In Asia, and especially in the Middle East, christians make up important minorities that, in the last few years, have suffered persecution from terrorist groups that refer to Jihad.