Walk into any Italian town and the first thing you see is the duomo. It’s the heart of the piazza. For centuries, being Italian and being Catholic were basically the same thing. But if you’re looking for a simple number for what percentage of Italians are Roman Catholic in 2026, you’re going to find that the answer is a bit of a moving target.
Honestly, the "official" stats and the "street" reality are two very different worlds.
The Official Breakdown: Who Still Claims the Faith?
If we look at recent data from 2024 and 2025, about 71% to 74% of Italians still identify as Roman Catholic. That sounds like a massive majority, right? On paper, Italy remains one of the most Catholic nations in Europe. According to recent reports from groups like Eurispes and independent research centers like CESNUR, that 70-ish percent represents the "nominal" population—people who, when asked on a survey, check the box for "Catholic."
But there's a catch.
If you dig into the 2025 Italy Report, you’ll see a weird paradox. While nearly three-quarters of the country identifies as Catholic, only about 15% to 19% are "regular practitioners." That means they’re actually showing up for Mass on Sundays. The rest? They’re what Italians call "Catolici non praticanti"—non-practicing Catholics.
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They’ll get married in a church because it’s beautiful and "what you do." They’ll baptize their kids because Grandma would have a heart attack if they didn't. But the day-to-day influence of the Vatican? That's a different story.
A Generation Gap in the Pews
The numbers get even more dramatic when you look at age. Among Italians aged 18 to 34, Catholic identification has dipped significantly, with some surveys suggesting only 58% of young adults claim the faith. Even more startling, regular church attendance for this group is hovering around a scant 10%.
For the older generation, the Church is an identity. For Gen Z and Millennials in Rome or Milan, it’s often just a backdrop to their social lives.
Why the Numbers are Shifting (It’s Not Just Secularism)
So, what’s actually happening? It’s not necessarily that Italians are becoming militant atheists. In fact, many still say they pray during "scary" or "emotional" moments—about 66% of the population according to recent Zenit data. Instead, Italy is experiencing what sociologists call "internalized faith."
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People are treating religion like a DIY project. They take the bits they like—the ethics, the holidays, the sense of community—and leave the strict dogmas behind.
- The "Outdated" Factor: Roughly 45% of Italians recently surveyed said they find the Church "too outdated."
- The Pandemic Effect: Data from Istat shows a "plunge" in religious practice between 2019 and 2022. Once people stopped going to Mass during COVID, a huge chunk of them just... never went back.
- Alternative Beliefs: The number of "religiously unaffiliated" (atheists, agnostics, or "nothings") has climbed to about 15% to 23% depending on the study.
The Role of Immigration
Interestingly, the religious landscape is also being reshaped by people moving to Italy. As of 2025, there are over 5 million foreign residents in Italy. While many are Eastern Orthodox (especially Romanians and Ukrainians), there’s a growing Muslim population—now over 1.7 million.
Even among the immigrant population, Catholicism is a minority at around 16.5%. So, as the "native" Italian population shrinks due to low birth rates, the overall "Catholic percentage" of the country naturally edges downward.
The Vatican's "Home Field" Advantage
Despite the drop in pews, you can't count the Church out. It still holds a "privileged legal status" in Italy. You see this in the 8 per mille (eight per thousand) tax law, where Italians can choose to direct a portion of their income tax to the Catholic Church.
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Trust in the Church as an institution actually saw a tiny bump in 2025, rising to about 52.6%. Why? Because when the government fails or the economy stalls, the Church's charitable arms—like Caritas—are the ones on the ground providing food and legal aid to the poor and immigrants.
Actionable Insights: Navigating the New Italian Culture
If you're traveling to Italy or doing business there, understanding this "70% Catholic" stat requires nuance. Here’s what you should actually keep in mind:
- Respect the "Non-Practicing" Majority: Most Italians you meet will respect the Church but might be openly critical of its politics. Don't assume "Catholic" means "conservative" in the American sense.
- Holidays are Cultural, Not Just Religious: Dates like August 15 (Ferragosto) or December 8 are national holidays. Even the most secular Italian will be celebrating, but they’ll be at the beach, not necessarily at a vigil.
- The South is Different: If you're in Naples or Sicily, those "practice" percentages are much higher than in the North. Religion remains a visible, loud, and public part of life in the South.
- Watch the Synod: The Italian Church is currently going through a "Synodal path" to address things like LGBTQ+ inclusion and the role of women. These internal shifts are trying to win back that 45% who find the institution "outdated."
Italy is still a Catholic country by heritage and by "box-checking," but the pews are emptier than they've ever been. It's a country in the middle of a slow-motion religious makeover.
To get a true feel for the current vibe, keep an eye on the Istat (National Institute of Statistics) annual reports and the Eurispes "Italy Report." They track the real-time "trust" levels that matter more than just baptismal records. If you're curious about the specific impact of the Pope's local policies, following the Italian Bishops' Conference (CEI) announcements will give you a better lead on where that 70% is headed next.