What are the main differences between Protestantism and Catholicism?

The main differences between Protestantism and Catholicism, which are both sectors of Christianity, pertain to their beliefs, practices, and structures. 1. Authority of the Pope: One of the main differences lies in the recognition of the Pope. Catholicism acknowledges the Pope as the head of the Church, while Protestantism does not. Protestants believe that no human being is infallible and Jesus alone heads up the Church. 2. The doctrine of justification: Protestants teach that faith alone justifies individuals before God, while Catholics see good works as having a cooperative role with faith in a person's justification. 3. The teachings and interpretations of the Bible: The Bible is the primary religious scripture for both Protestants and Catholics. However, they differ in terms of how they interpret the Bible. Catholics accept the teachings of Church tradition alongside the Bible, while Protestants use the Bible alone as the source of God’s revelation (sola scriptura). 4. Sacraments: Catholics recognize seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. Protestants, specifically Lutherans and Anglicans, recognize only two sacraments that they believe were instituted by Christ Himself, which are baptism and the Eucharist. Other Protestant groups like Baptists and Pentecostals usually talk about 'ordinances' rather than sacraments. 5. Views on Mary and the saints: Catholics pray to Mary and saints, as they believe that these figures can intercede for them before God. In the contrast, Protestants ‘pray for’ each other, but not ‘to’ each other. They pray directly to God since they believe that Jesus' death and resurrection provided any and all necessary intercession. It's important to remember that this is a simplified overview and there are many variations within both Protestant and Catholic communities. It's also important to note that while Filipinos are predominantly Catholic, there's also a significant Protestant community in the country.