Vatican Sub-Empire

"'In these times of war and upheaval across settled space, it is the duty of all children of God to stand united against the darkness which surrounds us. Godless lizards that seek to tear down our institutions, burn down our churches, and ransack our homes. Heretical insects which seek nothing more than the total annihilation of all we hold dear. These are the enemies we must stand proud against. O' Almighty God, bless your children with the strength not only to weather these times, but to carry on, and conquer all that which you created for us. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen!' - Pontifex Elect, Father Maxmillian Gregor, Grand Master of the Knights Templar, leading his Brothers in sermon."

Overview
Formed after the first Human Civil War, the Vatican Sub-Empire is the system-spanning domain of the Catholic Church, and a powerful faction within the United Systems. So powerful is the domain of the Pope that when the Church mobilizes for war, enough damage is done to have it classified as a disaster of galactic proportions.

The Church:
The Catholic Church is not a formal part of the United Systems, but of the Vatican Sub-Empire, an entity which itself is not officially recognized by the Grand Congress.