During the first apostolic visit to Spain in 15 years, Pope Leo XIV will travel more than 2,500 kilometers between Madrid, Barcelona, Gran Canaria, and Tenerife, deliver 12 speeches, and conduct 5 homilies and 5 greetings.
On Sunday, June 7, more than 1.2 million faithful attended a Mass during which the Pope called for a renewal of the Catholic faith in Spain.
According to the 2025 Barometer on Religions and Beliefs in Spain, conducted for the Pluralism and Coexistence Foundation, 49% of Spaniards identify as believers, including 46% who identify as Catholic.
Another significant figure is that the baptism rate has fallen from 99% in 1971 to around 50% today.
When Spaniards are asked what gives meaning to their lives:
– family ranks first, cited by 90% of respondents,
– followed by friendships (79%),
– personal fulfillment (78%),
– and nature (71%).
Religion (or spirituality) receives only 31%.
The younger generation appears to be moving away from Catholicism: only 31% of those aged 25–34 identify as Catholic, and just 29% of those aged 18–24.
Paradoxically, however, young people are also the group most likely to believe in life after death (40%), astrology (29%), fortune-telling (23%), or the existence of energies acting in the world (45%). They are even more likely to consult tarot cards (23%) than to read the Bible.
Christianity Has 2.4 Billion Followers
Ranking of religions by number of followers:
| Christianity | 2.4 billion |
| of which Catholics | 806 million |
| of which Protestants | 210 million |
| of which Orthodox Christians | 60 million |
| Islam | 2.0 billion |
| of which Sunnis | 1.8 billion |
| of which Shiites | 200 million |
| Hinduism | 1.16 billion |
| Buddhism | 507 million |
| Animism | 430 million |
| Sikhism | 28 million |
| Judaism | 15 million |
| Shintoism | 5 million |
Sources:
– 1.2 Million Faithful Attend Leo XIV Mass | La Presse
– The Pope Tours Spain | MSN
– Religion in Spain | lepetitjournal.com
– Catholic Faith in Spain? | Tribune Chrétienne
– Ranking of Religions by Number of Followers | Atlasocio
