Sarah Mitchell
Catholicism is the predominant religion in Europe, with about 35% of the population identifying as Catholic. The European countries with the largest shares of Catholics are mainly in Southern and Central Europe, including Poland (87-95%), Italy (78%), Portugal (77%), Spain (60%), Hungary (56%), Ireland (72%), and Lithuania (75%). Significant Catholic populations are also found in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Ukraine, and other parts of Europe. The Catholic Church, headquartered in Vatican City, has historically been a dominant force in Western Europe, and its influence extends beyond the continent through missionary activities and colonisation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic Population in Europe | 35% |
| Catholic Population in the World | 48.1% |
| Catholic Population in Latin America | 39% |
| Headquarters of the Catholic Church | Rome, Italy |
| Pope's Residence | Vatican City, Rome |
| Countries with Largest Catholic Populations in Europe | Poland (87%), Italy (78%), Portugal (77%), Spain (60%), Hungary (56%), Ireland (72%), Lithuania (75%) |
| Catholic Pilgrimage Sites in Europe | Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi, Italy; Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, Italy |
| Catholic Countries in Europe | Andorra, Austria, Belarus (western), Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, France, Germany (western and southern), Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Latvia (Latgale region), Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands (eastern and southern), Poland, Portugal, San Marino |
| Eastern Catholic Churches in Europe | Ukraine (western), Italy (southern), Slovakia (eastern), Romania, Hungary |
| Catholic Countries in Central and Eastern Europe with Higher Religious Observance | Ukraine, France |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic Church in Europe
The Catholic Church is closely tied to Europe, and Catholics are the largest religious group in many of Europe's most populous countries. About 35% of Europe's population is Catholic, and Europe is home to the Vatican City, the ecclesiastical state ruled by the Pope, the Catholic Church's leader and Bishop of Rome.
Historically, the Catholic Church has been the dominant force in Europe, guiding the course of philosophy, literature, art, music and science. The Church also created the foundations of the Western education system and sponsored the founding of universities.
European countries with significant or majority Catholic populations include Andorra, Austria, Belarus (west), Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina (central and southwest), Croatia, France, Germany (west and south), Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia (Latgale region), Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands (east and south), Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland (central and south), Ukraine (west) and Vatican City. There are also large Catholic minorities in Albania (10-15%) and the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom (both 10%).
Catholics in Central and Eastern Europe tend to be more socially conservative than those in the West. For example, while majorities of Catholics in Western Europe support legal gay marriage, most Catholics in Central and Eastern Europe oppose it.
The Catholic Church in Europe is represented by a population of 286,063,000 people, constituting 39.58% of the region's population. However, Europe is the only continent where the number of Catholics has not increased in recent years.
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Catholic populations in Europe
Catholicism is the largest denomination of Christianity, the predominant religion in Europe. According to a 2010 study by the Pew Research Center, 76.2% of the European population identified as Christians, with Catholics making up 48% of European Christians. This amounts to about 35% of the total European population, or 286,063,000 people, identifying as Catholic.
The Catholic Church is headquartered in Rome, in the Vatican City, which has a 100% Catholic population. The Pope, the leader of the Catholic Church, is the Bishop of Rome and rules over the ecclesiastical state of the Vatican City. Historically, Rome has been the centre of European Christianity, and the Catholic Church is the world's oldest continuously functioning international institution.
The European countries with the largest shares of Catholics are mostly located in southern and central Europe. For example, at least three-quarters of adults in Poland (87%), Italy (78%) and Portugal (77%) identify as Catholic, as do majorities in Spain (60%) and Hungary (56%). There are exceptions to this pattern, such as Ireland (72%) and Lithuania (75%). There are also sizable Catholic populations scattered throughout the rest of the continent, including in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands (19% each), as well as Ukraine (10%). Catholics in Central and Eastern Europe tend to be more socially conservative than those in Western Europe, with majorities of Catholics in Western Europe supporting legal gay marriage and abortion.
While Europe was once home to most of the world's Catholics, only about a quarter reside in Europe today. This is due in part to the movement and immigration of largely Catholic European ethnic groups to other continents, as well as the spread of Catholicism outside of Europe through missionary activity and colonisation.
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Catholicism in Southern and Central Europe
Catholicism is the largest religious group in Europe, with about 35% of the population identifying as Catholic. The Catholic Church is headquartered in Rome's Vatican City, which is itself a European state. The countries with the largest shares of Catholics are mostly located in Southern and Central Europe, including Poland (87%), Italy (78%), and Portugal (77%). Majorities in Spain (60%) and Hungary (56%) also identify as Catholic.
Southern Europe, or Mediterranean Europe, is often studied in 'clusters', separating the majority-Catholic Southwest from the Orthodox-majority Southeast. Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, resulting from the Great Schism of 1054 that split Christianity into two churches, are the two largest religions practised in the Southern European region. During the twentieth century, church-state relations in Southern and Southeastern Europe were marked by a stronger state role, with the exception of the Iberian peninsula. Following the First World War and the rise of Mussolini's fascist dictatorship, Italy signed the Lateran Treaty with the Holy See in 1929, which created the Vatican City State and restored many prerogatives of the Catholic Church. This agreement preceded a similar one reached between the Holy See and Franco's Spain, with both countries adopting National Catholicism as part of their ideological identity.
Catholics in Central and Eastern Europe tend to be more socially conservative than those in the West. They are more likely to oppose gay marriage and less likely to accept Muslims as family members. They are, however, more likely to favour legal abortion than same-sex marriage. Additionally, Catholics in Central and Eastern Europe are more religiously observant, with higher rates of church attendance, prayer, and belief in God.
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Catholic immigration to Europe
Catholicism is the largest religious group in Europe, with about 35% of the population identifying as Catholic. However, only about a quarter of all Catholics worldwide reside in Europe. This is partly due to the movement and immigration of largely Catholic European ethnic groups (such as the Irish, Italians, and Spaniards) to other continents, such as the Americas and Australia. Additionally, Catholicism has spread outside of Europe through historical missionary activity and the past colonisation and conversion of native people by Catholic European countries.
The Catholic Church has long been an advocate and protector of immigrants. Popes throughout the years have expressed sentiments in favour of immigration. Pope Francis, for example, has called on the faithful to "unite in prayer for all those who have had to leave their land in search of dignified living conditions." Pope Pius XII, in 1952, described the Holy Family's flight into Egypt as "the archetype of every refugee family." The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that prosperous nations are obliged to welcome foreigners seeking security and livelihood that they cannot find in their country of origin, but not at the expense of their own communities.
Catholic organisations offer shelter, food, and legal assistance to immigrants. For example, the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) provides assistance and protection to vulnerable migrants and advocates for sustainable solutions for refugees and migrants. ICMC Europe advocates for greater solidarity and a more humane and effective EU asylum and migration policy. They also support community-based refugee sponsorship programs and policies that promote more resettlement opportunities and better conditions for refugee and migrant integration.
While Europe once had the majority of the world's Catholics, that number has decreased over time. In 1910, 65% of all Catholics lived on the European continent. However, by 2010, the share of the world's Catholics living in Europe had dropped to 24%, with Latin America hosting a larger Catholic population.
European countries with significant or majority Catholic populations include Poland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, France, Germany, and many others. Catholics in Central and Eastern Europe tend to be more socially conservative than those in Western Europe. They are more likely to oppose gay marriage and legal abortion, while Catholics in Western Europe are more accepting of Muslims and support legal gay marriage at higher rates.
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Catholic Church's influence in Europe
The Catholic Church has had a significant influence on the development of European culture and identity. It is the largest religious group in Europe, with about 35% of the population identifying as Catholic. The Catholic Church is headquartered in Rome, which is also the residence of the Pope, the leader of the Catholic Church. Europe has brought together many Christian holy sites, heritage, and religious centers. For example, one of the most important pilgrimage sites for the Catholic Church is Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain, which hosts the shrine of Saint James, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus.
Historically, the Catholic Church played a crucial role in medieval Europe, particularly in the absence of centralized government after the fall of the Roman Empire. The Church united people, advised kings, and provided spiritual guidance, protection, and education to ordinary people. The Church also held significant wealth and power due to tithes, donations, and tax exemptions.
Today, the Catholic Church remains closely tied to Europe, with a plurality of cardinals (42%) hailing from the continent. European countries with significant or majority Catholic populations include Poland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, France, Germany, and many others. Catholics in Central and Eastern Europe tend to be more socially conservative than those in Western Europe, with differing views on issues like gay marriage and abortion.
The Church continues to have a presence in European politics, with organizations like the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) officially representing Catholic episcopal conferences in EU institutions.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2010, Catholics made up 48% of European Christians, and about 35% of the overall European population.
The Catholic Church is headquartered in Vatican City, Rome.
The countries with the largest Catholic populations are mostly located in Southern and Central Europe, including Poland (87%), Italy (78%), Portugal (77%), Spain (60%), and Hungary (56%).
Yes, there are two main types of Catholicism in Europe: Roman Catholicism and Eastern Catholicism.
