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Vatican

Vatican publishes statistics on the Catholic Church in France

First source report

Catholic IntelligenceUpdated 1 min read

The Holy See published a pastoral statistical overview of the Catholic Church in France covering the 44 years between 1980 and 2024. The release comes ahead of Pope Leo XIV's upcoming visit to Paris, Lourdes, and Metz.

According to the Office Central des Statistiques Ecclésiastiques, the total number of baptized Catholics in France rose from 45.5 million in 1980 to 49.7 million in 2024. This increase is attributed to French population growth and migration from Catholic regions in Francophone Africa, Latin America, and Europe.

The data also shows a significant decline in the administration of sacraments due to secularization and a crisis of faith. Annual baptisms fell from 513,501 in 1980 to 186,165 in 2024, while religious marriages dropped from 217,479 in 1980 to 40,678 in 2024.

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Earlier version, Thursday 24 September

Pope Leo XIV to visit France

How the coverage unfolded

  1. Sep 22, 7:45 AM ZENIT News Agency Français Peu avant la visite du pape, le Saint-Siège publie des statistiques sur l’Église en France
  2. Sep 22, 8:57 AM ZENIT News Agency Español Estos son los números de la Iglesia que el Papa encontrará en Francia: Vaticano publica estadísticas y esto lo que revelan de 1980 a 2026

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  2. Oct 31, 11:45 AM PT How Popes Have Praised Dorothy Day’s Message of Social Activism
  3. Oct 31, 11:30 AM PT · 10 sources Pope Leo XIV appoints Bishop Francesco Cavina as Special Apostolic Visitator for Medjugorje
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