Vaticano divulga dados estatísticos sobre a Igreja na França

The Vatican released statistical data on Friday showing a decline in the percentage of Catholics and religious vocations in France between 1980 and 2024. According to the Church's Central Statistical Office, the portion of the population identifying as Catholic fell from 84.72% in the early 1980s to 74.93% in 2024.

The data also shows a significant drop in baptisms, which fell from 513,501 in 1980 to 186,165 in 2024. However, the total number of baptized Catholics increased from 45,503,000 in 1980 to 49,720,000 in 2024, even as the total national population grew from 53,710,000 to 66,352,000 during that same period.

These statistics come ahead of a visit by Pope Leo XIV to France scheduled for next week, from September 25 to 28. The visit carries the theme "That the world may have life," a message based on the Gospel of John intended to defend human dignity.