Q 01/05

In which sovereign state does the Apostolic Palace, the official papal residence, stand?

A) Vatican City

B) San Marino

C) Malta

D) Monaco

Answer · why

A) Vatican City

Since the Avignon Papacy the popes have mainly resided at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City, though at times they used Rome's Quirinal Palace inste...

Q 02/05

How many sacraments are recognized in the Catholic Church?

A) Three

B) Five

C) Seven

D) Ten

Answer · why

C) Seven

Seven: alongside Baptism and the Eucharist sit Confirmation, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony.

Q 03/05

According to Catholic tradition, who was the first Pope?

A) Saint John

B) Saint Paul

C) Saint Peter

D) Saint James

Answer · why

C) Saint Peter

Saint Peter, the apostle, is counted as the first pope; tradition holds he led the church in Rome for roughly 34 years before his martyrdom under Nero...

Q 04/05

Which council has been called the 'most impressive embodiment of the ideals of the Counter-Reformation'?

A) Council of Nicaea

B) Second Vatican Council

C) Council of Chalcedon

D) Council of Trent

Answer · why

D) Council of Trent

The Council of Trent (1545–1563), held at Trento in northern Italy, answered the Protestant Reformation by defining doctrine on justification, the sac...

Q 05/05

Whom did Pope John Paul II formally declare the patron of ecology in 1979?

A) Francis of Assisi

B) Michael the Archangel

C) Patrick of Ireland

D) Augustine of Hippo

Answer · why

A) Francis of Assisi

Francis is often depicted with animals, and his name inspired both Pope Francis's choice of name and the environmental encyclical Laudato si'.