The Conference of Bishops in France (CEF) has recorded the largest number of catechumens to be received or baptized into the Church since records began some twenty years ago. This year, 10,384 adults will be baptized during the Easter Vigil – a 45% increase on 2024.
Noticeable emerging patterns reveal younger generations and Muslims in France are leading the way – becoming interested in and converting to Catholicism at a quickening rate.
Official statistics corroborate with anecdotal reports to reveal the authenticity of growth in the French Church. On Ash Wednesday in 2025, an “unprecedented surge” in attendance at Mass across the country was reported in Catholic and secular media, led particularly by young adults.
This Easter will mark the fifth consecutive year of exponential increases, indicating a snowballing trend. Each year, the hike in the number of people seeking to be baptized or received into the Catholic Church has been larger than the one prior.
Nor is the flurry of French citizens seeking membership in the Church merely replacing childhood baptisms and confirmations. In 2024, some 5,000 adolescents were additionally received or baptized. Their numbers rose to 7,400 in 2025. Simultaneously, since 2019, France’s population increased only from 67.38 to 68.6 million; this means that the converts are joining the Church at a rate far surpassing France’s population growth.
Young professionals and students in the 18- to 25-year-old demographic are leading this overall trend. They now represent 42% of the overall numbers flocking into the Church.
In England, which has experienced a similar though less pronounced trend among prospective Catholics, the Telegraph reported these young converts repeatedly use terms such as “coherent” and “consistent” when explaining their reasons for coming to believe the Catholic Faith and pursuing sacramental participation in the Church.
The share of new converts to Catholicism from Islam is steadily rising. Former Muslims comprised 3% of neophytes in 2023, increasing to 5% in 2024. This year they will be 7% of the overall figure.
