Michael Brooks
Italy has been predominantly Catholic for hundreds of years, with Rome considered the home of the Catholic Church. The country has 225 dioceses and archdioceses, the most in the world except for Brazil. In 1985, Italy ceased to be officially Catholic following the renegotiation of the Lateran Treaty, which had established Catholicism as the state religion in 1929. However, Italy remains a largely Catholic country, with approximately 79.2% of the population identifying as Catholic as of 2021.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year Italy became a Catholic country | It is unclear when Italy officially became a Catholic country, but Christianity arrived on the Italian peninsula in the first century and became the official religion of the Roman Empire. |
| Recent percentage of the Italian population identifying as Catholic | 79.2% in 2021, 61% in 2023 |
| Number of dioceses and archdioceses in Italy | 225 |
| Number of parishes in Italy | 25,694 |
| Number of religious in Italy | 125,708 (102,089 female, 23,719 male) |
| Number of priests in Italy | 44,906 |
| Year Catholicism became the state religion of Italy | 1929 |
| Year Catholicism ceased to be the state religion of Italy | 1985 |
| Current Bishop of Rome and Pope of the Catholic Church | Pope Francis |
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What You'll Learn
Italy's sole official religion was Catholicism until 1985
Italy has a long history of Catholicism, which has been the dominant religion in the country for over two thousand years. The country has been regarded as the “home” of the Catholic Church, with Rome being a major centre for Christian pilgrimage since the Roman Empire. Saint Peter, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, settled in Rome, ministered and served as bishop there, and was eventually martyred.
The Catholic Church in Italy is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, in communion with the Pope in Rome. The Pope serves as the Primate of Italy and Bishop of Rome. The Italian dioceses include not only the Italian Republic but also two other sovereign states: San Marino and Vatican City.
However, Italy's sole official religion was Catholicism only until 1985, when the status of the Catholic Church changed with the renegotiation of the Lateran Treaty. The renegotiation of the treaty updated several provisions of the 1929 accords, diminishing the privileges granted to the Catholic Church and ending its status as the religion of the Italian state. This change reflected the increasing secularization of Italy during this period, with a growing number of Italians identifying as non-religious or belonging to other faiths.
While Catholicism is no longer the official religion, it continues to play a significant role in Italian society and culture. As of 2021, approximately 79.2% of the Italian population identifies as Catholic, and Italy has the largest number of Catholic dioceses and archdioceses in the world, second only to Brazil.
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In 2021, 79.2% of Italians identified as Catholic
Catholicism has had a long and complex history in Italy, with the country regarded as the “home” of the Catholic Church. In 2021, 79.2% of Italians identified as Catholic, according to the Eurobarometer survey. This percentage translates to approximately 41 million people, considering Italy's population of around 52 million in 2021.
The Catholic Church in Italy is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the leadership of the Pope in Rome. The country has a significant number of dioceses, archdioceses, parishes, and religious institutions. The status of the Catholic Church as the sole official religion in Italy ended in 1985 with the renegotiation of the Lateran Treaty. Since then, Italy has been a secular state without an official religion, although it still recognizes the role of the Catholic Church in society.
The relationship between the Italian state and the Catholic Church has been fraught with tension at times. Historically, the Church opposed Italian unification in the 19th century, seeing it as a threat to its authority and land ownership. The Church's power was diminished after unification, and it adopted a “bunker mentality." During the fascist era, Benito Mussolini's regime made peace with the Church, granting it privileges and establishing Catholicism as the state religion in the 1929 Lateran Pacts. However, in the 1980s and 1990s, the Church's influence in Italian society and politics decreased, and the renegotiated Lateran Treaty further reduced its privileges.
Despite these shifts in the Church's status and influence, a significant majority of Italians continue to identify as Catholic. Religious practice and church attendance remain relatively high in Italy compared to other Western European countries. Additionally, the Catholic Church continues to play a role in Italian society, with organizations like Azione Cattolica and Forum Oratori Italiani promoting Catholic youth engagement.
It is worth noting that Italy has experienced demographic changes in recent years, including decreasing birth rates, an aging population, and immigration. These factors may impact the religious landscape over time, but as of 2021, Italy remains predominantly Catholic.
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Fascism made peace with the Catholic Church in the 1929 Lateran pacts
Italy has a long and complex history with the Catholic Church. The Church of Italy has grown in size and influence over its two-thousand-year history, with Rome considered the "home" of the Catholic Church. However, the relationship between the Italian government and the Catholic Church has not always been harmonious. After Italian unification, the Church opposed the newly formed Italian government, as unification took away papal lands and power, diminishing the authority of the Church.
In the 1920s, the rise of fascism in Italy under Benito Mussolini saw a shift in this dynamic. Fascism ended democratic liberties but sought to make peace with the Catholic Church. This led to the Lateran Pacts of 1929, a series of agreements between Italy, under King Victor Emmanuel III and Mussolini, and the Holy See, led by Pope Pius XI. The Lateran Pacts are often presented as three treaties: a treaty of conciliation, a financial convention, and a concordat.
The Treaty of Conciliation, also known as the Lateran Treaty, addressed the long-standing "Roman question" by recognizing Vatican City as an independent state under the sovereignty of the Holy See. Italy also agreed to financially compensate the Catholic Church for the loss of the Papal States. The treaty further affirmed the status of Catholicism as the state religion of Italy, with Article 1 stating, "the Catholic, Apostolic and Roman Religion is the only religion of the State."
The Financial Convention settled the Holy See's claims for compensation following the capture of Rome in 1870, with Italy agreeing to pay 750 million lire immediately, along with consolidated bearer bonds worth 1,000 million lire.
The Concordat regulated relations between the Catholic Church and the Italian state, granting the Church certain privileges. For example, the Church was given the sole right to regulate marriages involving Catholics, and Catholic marriages were to be recognized as valid by civil authorities. The Concordat also addressed issues related to Church properties and their exemption from expropriation and taxes.
The Lateran Pacts of 1929 marked a significant development in the relationship between Fascism and the Catholic Church in Italy, establishing a period of peace and cooperation between the two entities. However, it is important to note that this peace came at the cost of granting the Catholic Church substantial influence and privileges within Italian society and politics.
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The Catholic Church in Italy is part of the worldwide Catholic Church
The Italian Catholic Church has a long and complex history, dating back to the first century when Christianity arrived on the Italian peninsula, likely brought by unknown travellers, traders, or soldiers. One of the first Italian bishops and popes was Clement of Rome, who wrote a letter to the Christian community in Corinth (1 Clement) around AD 96. Over its two-thousand-year history, the Church of Italy has produced and harboured some of the greatest leaders and figures of Catholic Christianity, including Ambrose of Milan, Augustine of Canterbury, and Benedict of Nursia.
The relationship between the Catholic Church and the Italian state has not always been straightforward. The unification of Italy in the 19th century stripped the church of its lands and earthly power, and the status of the Catholic Church as the sole official religion in Italy ended in 1985 with the renegotiation of the Lateran Treaty. However, the church remains politically influential, and in 2021, approximately 79.2% of Italians identified as Catholic.
There are 225 Catholic dioceses in Italy, more than any other country except Brazil. The bishops in Italy make up the Conferenza Episcopale Italiana, a collaborative body that performs functions specified by Canon Law. The president of the Italian conference is appointed by the pope and, as of May 2022, is Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi.
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Christianity arrived in Italy in the first century
Rome is commonly regarded as the "home" of the Catholic Church, as it is where St. Peter settled, ministered, served as bishop, and died. His relics, along with those of St. Paul, are located in Rome, among many other saints of Early Christianity. The city has been a major centre for Christian pilgrimage since the Roman Empire.
The Catholic Church in Italy is part of the worldwide Catholic Church in communion with the Pope in Rome, under the Conference of Italian Bishops. The Pope serves as Primate of Italy, Bishop of Rome, and ex officio head of the Catholic Church. In 2021, approximately 79.2% of Italians identified as Catholic, and the country has 225 dioceses and archdioceses, more than any other country except Brazil.
Catholicism was established as the state religion of Italy in 1929 under the Fascist regime of Benito Mussolini, who sought to make peace with the Church and papacy to gain their support for his dictatorial and imperialistic policies. However, the status of the Catholic Church as the sole official religion in Italy ended in 1985 with the renegotiation of the Lateran Treaty, and the country has since become increasingly secularised.
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Frequently asked questions
Italy has been associated with the Catholic Church for over two thousand years. Christianity arrived on the Italian peninsula in the first century, and Rome is commonly regarded as the "home" of the Catholic Church. In 1929, Catholicism was established as the state religion of Italy, but this ended in 1985. As of 2021, approximately 79.2% of Italians identify as Catholic.
The Italian Catholic Church is part of the worldwide Catholic Church and is in communion with the Pope in Rome. The Pope serves as the Primate of Italy and Bishop of Rome. Italy has 225 Catholic dioceses and archdioceses, the largest number in the world except for Brazil.
Catholicism has a long history in Italy, dating back to the first century when Christians first arrived in the country. Over time, the Church of Italy grew in size and influence, producing many leaders and saints of the Catholic Church. In the 9th century, Italy was invaded by the Germanic Lombards, who were recent converts to Arianism and treated Italians and their clergy harshly. However, by the 7th century, the Lombard monarchy and people had embraced Catholicism.
Catholicism continues to play a significant role in Italy, with high rates of religious practice and church attendance compared to other Western European countries. According to surveys conducted in recent years, between 61% and 79.2% of Italians identify as Catholic.
