Top 10 Countries with the Highest Number of Catholics in the World

Brazil is one of the most Catholic countries globally, with approximately 54.2% of the population identified as Catholic. This equates to around 126.8 million Catholics in Brazil.

The first Mass in this country took place on April 26, 1500, conducted by a priest who arrived here alongside Portuguese explorers to claim ownership of new land. The strong Catholic heritage in Brazil may stem from the missionary zeal of the Iberians, aiming to propagate Christianity in the 15th century. The Church's missions began to thwart the exploitation policies of the indigenous people by the government. Hence, in 1782, the Franciscans were oppressed, and the government tightened its control over the Church.

Catholicism predominated during the colonial period. Then in 1824, it became the official religion of an independent Brazil. This nation also ensured religious freedom for its citizens. The Brazilian government secularized since the constitution of 1891, and the Church still holds political influence. By the late 19th century, the Iberian Catholic population was reinforced by a large number of Italian, German, Polish Catholic immigrants to Brazil. In 1889, Brazil officially became a republic, through a constitution that separated church from state—a trend followed by all seven republican constitutions of the country.

In his five-day visit to Brazil in May 2007, Pope Benedict XVI canonized Frei Galvão - the first Saint born in this country. Both the Pope's visit and the canonization aimed to revitalize the local church. Brazil also became the first foreign country visited by Pope Francis, the successor to Benedict, in his pontificate.

When it comes to Catholic countries in Asia, the Philippines stands out as one of the largest. There are about 76 million Catholics in the Philippines, equivalent to around 81% of the population. Like Mexico, Spanish missionaries brought Catholicism to this country to spread the faith. When the Philippines gained independence in 1898, Catholicism remained one of the most popular religions here.

Filipinos are known for their fervent religious devotion. Religious practices in the Philippines are also unusually physical and corporeal, even within Catholic cultures, particularly built around devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary - the Mother of Jesus, and the Santo Niño (Holy Child).

While some islands in the southern part of the country have a significant Muslim population, the entire Philippines is predominantly Christian. Catholics make up 81% of the population, with other denominations including many Protestant churches, such as the Philippine Independent Church or the Aglipayan Church, which broke away from the Catholic Church in the early 20th century. Catholicism has played a significant role in shaping the culture of the Philippine nation, both locally and nationally.

Mexico has approximately 72.1% of the population identified as Catholic, equivalent to 98.8 million people. Catholicism was first introduced to Mexico by the Spanish in the early 1500s. To this day, it has become a significant aspect of life for many in this country.

The history of the Catholic Church in Mexico dates back to the Spanish conquest period (1519 – 1521) and continues as an institution in Mexico into the 21st century. Catholicism is one of many legacies from the Spanish colonial period. Other legacies include the Spanish language as the national language, civil law, and Spanish colonial architecture. The Catholic Church was a privileged institution until the mid-19th century. It was the only church allowed during the colonial period, in the early years of the Mexican Republic, after independence in 1821. It directly engaged in politics, including issues unrelated to the church.

In the mid-19th century, liberal reforms brought significant changes in the relationship between the church and the state. Mexican liberals in power challenged the role of the Catholic Church, particularly in response to the church's involvement in politics. Reforms limited the church's role in education, property ownership, control of birth, marriage, death records, with specific anti-clerical laws. Many of these were enshrined in the 1857 constitution, restricting the church's property ownership rights, among other constraints on the Church.

By the late 20th century, Eastern Rite Catholic jurisdictions were also established in Mexico. In many parts of the country, Catholicism has been heavily syncretized with folk customs; along with Aztec, Maya, and other pre-Columbian religions.

Italy is predominantly a Catholic country in Europe, with about 50.4 million faithful, equivalent to 78% of the population. Italy has had a long-standing relationship with Catholicism, as the religion was introduced here as early as the first century. Although the Vatican City is within Italy, it is a separate state and not counted in Italy's population. Catholicism continues to wield influence in this country, and Rome is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations, allowing Catholics to deepen their spiritual faith and closeness to God.

Catholicism is an integral part of life in Italy; as a social, cultural, and political force that Italians consider inherent. The long-standing, deep-rooted cultural relationship is reflected in the presence of over 100,000 Catholic churches nationwide, and Catholicism still remains virtually the exclusive religion here.

Bishops in Italy wield significant influence over church governance. While many Italians hold deep reverence for the Pope, Italy also has a long history of anti-clericalism, both among Catholics and non-Catholics. Many traditional religious practices characteristic of Italian life can be seen as a part of how Catholics autonomously practice religion in spheres outside clergy control. Presently, the country still hosts a large number of Catholic newspapers and magazines, with over 100 publishers, 8 radio stations, and 1 television station.

The United States is one of the countries with the highest Catholic population globally, with around 51 million adults identified as Catholics, equivalent to about 21% of the population. In the 1500s, Spanish missionaries introduced Catholicism to the United States, starting in what are now Florida, Texas, and California. In the 1700s, the French also established their own missionary agencies in Alabama, Louisiana, Michigan, Arkansas, and Illinois. As the United States gained independence, the Catholic population also grew.

Catholicism first came to North America during the Age of Exploration. During the colonial period, Spain and later Mexico established missionary agencies (1769-1833) with long-lasting results in New Mexico and California. Similarly, the French established settlements with associated missions in the Great Lakes and Mississippi Valley, notably in Detroit (1701) and New Orleans (1718). On the other hand, English Catholics (persecuted by the majority Anglicans in England) settled in Maryland (1634) founding the first Catholic provincial capital - St. Mary's City, Maryland.

In 1789, the Archdiocese of Baltimore was the first diocese in the newly independent nation. John Carroll became the first American bishop, his brother - Daniel Carroll was a leading American Catholic among the founding fathers. However, anti-Catholic political movements in the mid-19th century were sponsored by Protestant denominations. Tensions between Protestants and Catholics continued into the 20th century, especially when a Catholic ran for president (in 1928 and 1960).

The number of Catholics increased rapidly in the 19th and 20th centuries through high birth rates and immigration. Parishes established numerous schools, with hundreds of colleges and universities founded by Catholic religious orders; notably by the Jesuits. The Catholic Church became the second-largest religious group in the country, after the Protestant denominations, and is the largest Christian denomination in the country - where Protestantism is divided into separate denominations.

Colombia boasts approximately 36 million Catholics, constituting 75% of the total population. Spanish missionaries first brought Catholicism here in 1508, with the first diocese established in 1534. In 1819, Colombia gained independence from Spain, yet Catholicism remained the predominant religion. It's also one of the most devoutly Catholic countries in South America.

Religion in Colombia is influenced by various branches of Christianity and reflects cultural heritage, including the Spanish colonial period, Native American, and African roots. Colombia is a secular country, and religious freedom is enshrined in the nation's constitution. The Ministry of the Interior is officially responsible for recognizing churches, religious denominations, associations, as well as associations of religious ministers.

During the colonial period, the Catholic Church in Colombia established and managed most public facilities; such as educational institutions including schools, colleges, universities, libraries, botanical gardens, observatories; healthcare facilities including hospitals, leprosaria, orphanages, and prisons. It also inherited a vast amount of land, approximately one-fourth of the country's productive land area, but later was reclaimed by the government.

Colombia is often called the 'Country of the Sacred Heart,' due to the annual consecration of the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, directed by the president. Colombia was re-consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 2008, in a national ceremony presided over by the leading bishops, with the presence of the president (also a Catholic).

In France, there are 40 million citizens who identify as Catholics, equivalent to approximately 63% to 66% of the population. France also has a long history of Catholicism, with some of the earliest signs recorded in the 2nd century. Today, Catholicism remains an integral aspect of many families' lives in France.

The earliest records of Christian believers in France date back to the 2nd century when Irenaeus detailed the deaths of 90-year-old Bishop Saint Pothinus of Lugdunum (Lyon) and other martyrs from the persecution in Lyon. In 496, Remigius baptized King Clovis I, who converted from paganism to Catholicism. In 800, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, forming a political foundation, and Catholicism in Europe was formally established, linking France's long historical government with the Catholic Church.

The Catholic Church in France is organized into 98 dioceses; in 2012 served by 7,000 priests under 75 years old, with 80 to 90 priests ordained annually - when the Church needs eight times that to make up for those who have passed away. About 45,000 buildings and prayer houses of the Catholic Church are scattered across 36,500 cities, towns, and villages in France, but most are no longer regularly used for public gatherings. In recent decades, France has emerged as a stronghold for the small but growing traditional Catholic movement; alongside the United States, England, and other English-speaking countries.

The Catholic Church in France is part of the global Catholic Church in communion with the Pope in Rome. It is the first Catholic Church to continuously and consistently communicate with the Pope since the 2nd century, hence sometimes referred to as the 'eldest daughter of the Church.'

In Spain, there are 32 million citizens identified as Catholics, equivalent to about 61.3% of the population. Catholicism became prevalent in Spain in the 15th century, following the conquest of Granada. Numerous churches, cathedrals, and holy shrines are present throughout the country. These churches play a fundamental role in history and signify the importance of the Catholic faith here. Although Catholicism ceased to be the state religion in 1978, it remains the dominant religion in Spain. However, in practice today, only about one-third of Catholics actively practice their faith (meaning they still adhere to and practice the faith, whereas the rest only nominally adhere).

The number of Catholics in Spain may be modest, but the presence of the Catholic Church is evident. Many Catholic churches are present in every town, each dedicated to a patron saint. Most establishments are closed on Sundays. Many schools in Spain, at least in part, are affiliated with the church, through a patron saint or a local parish.

Notably, most holidays in Spain recognize a Catholic saint or significant religious figure, and often these holidays are celebrated with a procession. The Day of the Three Kings, Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Seville, the running of the bulls at the Festival of San Fermin in Pamplona - all are fundamental Catholic commemorations. Each year, over 200,000 people hike the Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James, to participate in the traditional Catholic pilgrimage.

Poland is a deeply devout nation with over 33 million people adhering to the Catholic faith, constituting about 87% of the population. In Poland, Pope John Paul II is renowned for extensively reforming the Catholic faith, continuing to be a prominent religious figure and icon.

Historically, it's been one of Europe's largest religious nations, although surveys have found rapid secularization processes. A 2018 survey by the Pew Research Center found that among those under 45 years old, Poland is the fastest secularizing among 106 countries measured. While various religious communities exist in Poland, the majority of its citizens adhere to Roman Catholicism. The largest group being the Roman Catholic Church, representing 91.9% of the self-declared Catholic population in 2018. And according to the Catholic Church Statistics Institute, about 36.7% of the faithful attended Sunday Mass in 2015.

Roman Catholicism continues to play a significant role in the lives of many Poles, and the Church here holds considerable social prestige as well as political influence. Its members view it as a repository of cultural heritage. Poland has claimed to have the highest proportion of Roman Catholics of any European country (excluding Malta and San Marino), surpassing Italy, Spain, Ireland, and all countries where Roman Catholicism is the sole established religion.

The current dominance in numbers largely stems from the mass murder of Jews living in Poland carried out by Nazi Germany alongside casualties during World War II among minority religious groups.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the most devoutly Catholic countries in Africa, with over 28 million citizens adhering to the faith, equivalent to about 33% of the population.

The largest expansion of Catholicism occurred during the colonial rule of Belgium. In 1885, King Leopold II of Belgium established a personal colony in Central Africa known as the Congo Free State; in 1908, it was annexed by Belgium as the Belgian Congo.

Under both the Free State and Belgian rule, Catholic missionary agencies were encouraged to operate in Congo as part of the civilizing mission, seen as a justification for colonialism before European public opinion. Missionaries played a crucial role in providing education during the colonial period. For instance, in 1954, Catholic missions helped establish Congo's first university, Lovanium.

Evidence suggests the adoption of Christian religious practices in the region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo dates back to the late 15th century. In 1491, King Nzinga of the Kingdom of Congo converted to Roman Catholicism, taking the Christian name João, after contact with Portuguese colonial explorers. The conversion facilitated trade with the Portuguese and elevated the status of the Kingdom of Congo in the eyes of European nations.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo gained independence from Belgium in 1960 and has since been mired in numerous civil unrests. The Catholic Church plays a significant role in the country's politics as well as its social structure, establishing many schools and hospitals. Sometimes people turn to the Catholic faith when they feel they can no longer trust the government. The Church often serves as a crucial intermediary for reconciliation between the government and opposition parties, as it's seen as a group that locals believe is fighting for them.