Catholicism sees shifting trends in France and Latin America

Recent data indicates shifting religious patterns within the Catholic Church, particularly regarding baptismal trends in France and the demographic weight of the faith in Latin America.

In France, adult baptisms rose by 28% in 2026 compared to 2025, with 13,234 adults receiving the sacrament. This figure has more than tripled since 2016. The growth is most prominent among the 18 to 25 age demographic. This trend contrasts with a long-term decline in infant baptisms and overall religious affiliation; only 46% of French citizens identified as Catholic in 2025, down from 85% in the early 1960s.

Globally, Latin America remains the stronghold of Catholicism, housing approximately 40% of the world's 1.422 billion Catholics. However, sociologists note a process of desinstitutionalization in the region. This shift does not necessarily imply a disappearance of faith, but rather a redefinition of religious practices where the Church is no longer the exclusive reference for spiritual life.