The number of Catholics worldwide increased by 16.69 million in 2024, with the largest growth in Africa. The total Catholic population reached 1.422 billion, representing 17.8% of the global population. The number of priests increased slightly, with gains in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, while Europe and Oceania saw decreases. Women religious and major seminarians continued to decline globally, but the contribution of lay missionaries and catechists grew, particularly in the Americas and Asia. The Church’s educational, healthcare, and charitable network expanded, with more than 75,000 kindergartens and 100,000 primary schools run by Catholic institutions. More: Zenit
🤖 AI-assisted summary
