Pope Leo XIV arrived in France on September 25 amid a notable increase in Catholic conversions among young people in a country long dominated by secularism. His four-day visit comes as the French Catholic Church experiences a resurgence of interest, particularly among Generation Z, contrasting sharply with decades of decline in religious affiliation.
Despite France’s deeply entrenched secularism—enshrined in the principle of laïcité—and a history of clerical abuse scandals that have eroded public trust, Catholic bishops report a record number of conversions this year. By 2026, over 21,000 people have converted to Catholicism, many of them young adults seeking spiritual meaning after the pandemic. This surge is attributed partly to a grassroots effort by French Catholic influencers, including priests active on social media platforms like TikTok, who promote faith through digital outreach combined with traditional practices such as candlelight Masses.
“I think it speaks to an authentic searching for something deeper, more meaningful and of value,” Pope Leo said ahead of his arrival in Paris. He described a “spiritual thirst” driving many young people toward religion, emphasizing the enduring relevance of scripture and the life of Jesus. His visit includes a large outdoor Mass at Place de la Concorde, a symbolic site in French republican history, that is expected to draw at least half a million attendees.
The revival contrasts with the long-term trajectory of Catholicism in France, where less than half of the population now identifies as Catholic, down from over 90% in the 1960s. Attendance at regular Sunday Mass among baptized Catholics has dropped to around 2 percent, and infant baptisms have declined dramatically—from more than 500,000 in 1980 to 186,000 in 2024. Thousands of parishes have closed, and the church continues to confront the fallout of abuse scandals, including recent allegations from a former prime minister’s daughter linked to a Catholic school in southwestern France.
Still, some church leaders view the recent growth in conversions as a potential model for sustaining Catholicism in Europe’s secular context. Archbishop Laurent Le Boulc’h of Lille called his diocese a “laboratory for the transformation of our church,” focusing on welcoming converts as “young prodigal sons returned.” Lille, a northern city, has seen one of the largest increases in converts, with weekly candlelight Masses growing from about 100 attendees eight years ago to over 650, many drawn by the church’s blend of mysticism and contemporary outreach.
Young converts often cite a search for answers that they did not find in secular philosophy or other belief systems. Law student Jonas Touitou-Faron, who converted last Easter, described turning away from political extremes and Islam to embrace the faith of his grandmother. Church officials note that most converts are under 40, with a significant portion between 18 and 25 years old, and increasingly come from working-class backgrounds rather than the traditionally affluent Catholic demographic.
Social media has proven a crucial tool, with priests like Rev. Lionel Dewavrin in Lille building large online followings by sharing accessible, nonjudgmental messages. Dewavrin emphasized an approach that starts from individuals “where they are,” reflecting a shift initiated by Pope Francis, and continuing under Pope Leo, away from focusing solely on doctrine and moral teachings.
While the rise in conversions remains modest compared to overall losses, many in the French Church see it as a sign of renewal that could offer insights for Catholic communities facing similar challenges across Europe and North America. During his visit, Pope Leo is expected to address broader issues including the sanctity of life in Lourdes and the ethical concerns surrounding artificial intelligence at UNESCO headquarters, underscoring the church’s engagement with contemporary social debates amid this spiritual revival.