Archaeologists have found the religious impulse to be a primary feature of almost every civilization in history. This volume focuses on Catholicism, examining its development through primary and secondary sources. An in-depth introduction is followed by an exploration of the origins of Catholicism, including profiles of its most notable leaders and definitions of its foundational beliefs. After highlighting how it has changed across time, the final chapter discusses controversies and challenges presently facing Catholicism and Catholics, as well as issues expected to arise in the future.