July 31, 2011. (Romereports.com) This is the Atlas Hierarchicus. At first glance it looks like any other atlas. However, this one is special because it shows the status of the Catholic Church throughout the world.

It's the newest edition since 1992. It was released by the Urbaniana University Press. Its director Leonardo Sileo traveled to Rome for its presentation.


Leonardo Sileo
Director, Urbaniana University Press
“The continents and countries are all the same. The geographic coordinates as well, but these maps are based on the presence of the Church in the world. Therefore, the division of states is the same but within them is shown the presence of the Church, the local situation and their constituencies.”

Fernando Filoni, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, presented the pope with four copies of the atlas last June, with him was Leonardo Sileo.

Leonardo Sileo
Director, Urbaniana University Press
“They will be very useful for the pope in the ad Limina visits, when the bishops meet with him and explain the situation in their dioceses.”

It was a special gift for the pope that will help everyone better understand the history behind each Catholic diocese from all over the  world.