Report: World's Catholic population grows, but number of priests declines

Although it became a minority, Catholicism recomposed itself around important media figures and a rather urban and bourgeois minority, becoming more conservative, more individualistic and moving away from parishes to expand their influence.

Fewer Priests Reflect Lack of Masculine Role Models - The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

Men are not inspired to become priests by diversity, equity, and inclusion. Whatever else they may be, these are not masculine qualities.

Worldwide Catholic population hits 1.4 billion

Young men attending the encounter with youth with Pope Francis at the Sir John Guise Stadium, Papua New Guinea, Sept. 9, 2024. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA Vatican City, Mar 21, 2025 / 15:00 pm (CNA). The “2025 Annuario Pontificio” and the “2023... [...]

Catholic laity grow in number as priests and seminarians continue decline

The trends of recent years have been repeated, with growth especially found in Africa while Europe stagnates.

Data from the Vatican Statistical Yearbook for the 2023 biennium have been released. The number of Catholics in the world is increasing, reaching 1.406 billion. Bishops and priests are still growing in Asia (+1.6%), but the decline in seminarians has risen to 4.2%. Southeast Asia is among the few regions where religious women are slightly increasing. In Asia, 30% of the nuns and 18.2% of the world's priests live.

Report: World's Catholic population grows, but number of priests declines

The world's Catholic population has grown at last count, but the number of priests has fallen.