Virginal Conception (“Virgin Birth”)
The teaching that Jesus was conceived in Mary's womb by the Holy Spirit, without a human father — what people usually mean by “the Virgin Birth.”
“Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary”: the Creed affirms that Jesus had no human father. Mary conceived him by the power of the Holy Spirit, remaining a virgin. The Catechism says this shows that the Incarnation was God's initiative alone and that Jesus is the Son of God in his humanity as in his divinity. This is not the Immaculate Conception, which concerns Mary's own conception; and the Church also teaches that Mary remained a virgin in giving birth and ever after.
Not to be confused with Immaculate Conception.
Councils
Where the Church settled or debated this. Follow a council to read our article on it, or the decrees themselves.
- 381First Council of Constantinopleour article
Sources checked 29 September 2026