Top 10 church facts

In Romania. Such an occupational surname could have been passed to following generations only in areas dominated by the Orthodox church, where priests are allowed to marry and have children. Popescu is the most common surname in Romania.

In Yamoussoukro. The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace is a Catholic minor basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, the administrative capital of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). Guinness World Records lists it as the largest "church" in the world, having surpassed the previous record holder, St. Peter's Basilica, upon completion. It can accommodate 18,000 worshippers.

Catholic bishop. Lucifer of Cagliari was a bishop of Cagliari in Sardinia known for his passionate opposition to Arianism. He is venerated as a Saint, though his status remains controversial. Opinions about him vary among Catholics. Some support his beliefs against Arianism, while others think of him as a fanatic who ferociously berated his opponents.

To the city and the world. “Urbi et Orbi” means literally “To the city (meaning Rome) and the circle (meaning the world outside)”.

Roman Catholic. The Roman Catholic Church is the world's largest Christian church, with 1.2 billion members worldwide. There are about 600 millions of Protestants and 350 million of Orthodox Church members.

One. Vatican Railway consists of two 300-metre sets of rail tracks and two freight sidings. It is the shortest national railway system in the world, with only one station. Most railway traffic consists of inbound freight goods, although the railway has occasionally carried passengers, usually for symbolic or ceremonial reasons.

12. According to St. Ambrose, Agnes of Rome, died by fire at age 12. Other versions of her martyrdom are given by Pope St. Damasus (r. 366–384) and Prudentius in Peris- tephanon. Agnes is said to have been a beautiful, wealthy Roman maiden. Agnes’s emblem in art is the lamb, a symbol of purity, and because of the similarity between her name and the Latin word for lamb, agnus. In art she is often depicted in flames and with a sword at her feet.

16 October 1978. His Papacy began on 16 October 1978 and ended on 2 April 2005 with his death.

A habit of the Carmelite Order. The Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (also known as the Brown Scapular) is the habit of the Carmelite Order. According to the Vatican's Congregation for Divine Worship, the Brown Scapular is "an external sign of the filial relationship established between the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Mount Carmel, and the faithful who entrust themselves totally to her protection, who have recourse to her maternal intercession, who are mindful of the primacy of the spiritual life and the need for prayer.

Order of Saint James of Altopascio. The Order of Saint James of Altopascio also called the Knights of the Tau was a military order, perhaps the earliest Christian institution to combine the protection and assistance of pilgrims, the staffing of hospitals, and a military wing. According to American historian Ephraim Emerton, who produced the first systematic study of the Order, "the fame of the house drew visitors, both well and sick, including women in childbirth and infants" from around Italy.