Pope addresses ‘surprising’ Catholic growth in secular France

PARIS — Pope Leo XIV met new and prospective Catholics and their leaders on Saturday as he encouraged the Catholic Church in France to “strike a wise balance” between welcoming new members as they are and educating them in the tenets of the faith.

“It may seem paradoxical that this phenomenon … is taking place against the backdrop of a society like that of France, which is marked by a deeply secularized culture,” the pope said at the Catholic Institute of Paris on Sept. 26.

According to Franceʼs national demographic institute , more than half of French adults report no religious affiliation. While 29% of the population identifies as Catholic, the survey found only 8% say they go to Church regularly.

Despite this, the Catholic Church continues to see record-breaking numbers of baptisms every year. In 2026, France recorded more than 20,000 adult and adolescent baptisms , a 20% increase from the already record-high number in 2025, which saw a 45% increase from 2024 figures.

The pope said people approach the Church for a variety of reasons, from a search for meaning to personal hardship.

The Church must welcome newcomers while helping them embrace the demands of Christian…