The Holy See forms the central government of the church, and makes decisions on issues of faith and morality for Catholics throughout the world (which today amount to 1.3 billion people). The hierarchical structure includes cardinals, who serve as the Pope’s principal advisors and elect his successor; archbishops, who oversee major metropolitan archdioceses; bishops, who govern dioceses; priests, who lead local parishes and minister to the faithful; and deacons, who are ordained ministers with responsibilities in liturgy, charity, and pastoral service. Those who are not ordained are collectively referred to as laypeople.
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