Africa surpasses Europe in Catholic population; Church leaders highlight missionary role

Africa's Catholic population has surpassed that of Europe, according to the latest statistics from Agenzia Fides. The data, drawn from the Church's Book of Statistics through December 31, 2024, shows Africa has 288.3 million Catholics, while Europe has 287.2 million. Africa now holds the second-largest Catholic population globally, following the Americas.

The African continent recorded the largest increase in Catholics, adding 7.58 million people. This growth exceeded the 6.99 million increase reported in the Americas. Total global Catholic numbers reached 1.4 billion, an increase of 15.8 million from the previous year.

Catholic leaders in Africa told ACI Africa that families, catechists, pastoral presence, and missionary witness contributed to this growth. Leaders described the expansion as an opportunity to share faith, vocations, and missionary experience with the universal Church.

Africa also saw the largest increase in priests, adding 1,676, compared to a worldwide net increase of 425. The continent was the only one to report growth in seminarians, with an increase of 786.