Europe
Europe is the second-smallest continent, spanning approximately 10.18 million km² and home to about 750 million people as of 2023, representing about 9% of the global population.[1] Stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Ural Mountains, it encompasses diverse cultures, economies, and religions, including Christianity, Islam, and secularism.
The Catholic Church, with approximately 280 million adherents (about 37% of Europe’s population), is a dominant faith, particularly in countries like:
Introduced in the 1st century AD, Catholicism has profoundly shaped European culture through saints, shrines, and historical institutions, despite challenges from secularization and declining religious practice.
Countries
| country name | population | catholic population | catholic percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | 2,800,000 | 420,000 | 15.0 |
| Andorra | 82,000 | 72,000 | 88.0 |
| Austria | 9,100,000 | 5,000,000 | 55.0 |
| Belarus | 9,300,000 | 1,400,000 | 15.0 |
| Belgium | 11,600,000 | 6,500,000 | 56.0 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3,800,000 | 460,000 | 12.0 |
| Bulgaria | 6,800,000 | 50,000 | 0.7 |
| Byzantine Empire | 17,000,000 | 500,000 | 3.0 |
| Croatia | 3,800,000 | 2,900,000 | 76.0 |
| Cyprus | 1,300,000 | 38,000 | 2.9 |
| Czech Republic | 10,500,000 | 1,050,000 | 10.0 |
| Denmark | 6,000,000 | 48,000 | 0.8 |
| Estonia | 1,300,000 | 6,000 | 0.5 |
| Finland | 5,600,000 | 16,000 | 0.3 |
| France | 68,000,000 | 32,000,000 | 47.0 |
| Frankish Empire | 5,000,000 | 4,000,000 | 80.0 |
| Germany | 84,000,000 | 21,000,000 | 25.0 |
| Greece | 10,400,000 | 50,000 | 0.5 |
| Holy Roman Empire | 20,000,000 | 15,000,000 | 75.0 |
| Hungary | 9,700,000 | 3,800,000 | 39.0 |
| Iceland | 382,000 | 15,000 | 3.9 |
| Ireland | 5,100,000 | 3,740,000 | 73.3 |
| Italian Republic | 59,000,000 | 47,000,000 | 80.0 |
| Kingdom of Italy | 35,000,000 | 34,300,000 | 98.0 |
| Kingdom of Naples | 5,000,000 | 4,900,000 | 98.0 |
| Kingdom of Sardinia | 5,000,000 | 4,900,000 | 98.0 |
| Kingdom of Sicily | 2,000,000 | 1,960,000 | 98.0 |
| Kingdom of the Two Sicilies | 7,000,000 | 6,860,000 | 98.0 |
| Kosovo | 1,800,000 | 65,000 | 3.6 |
| Latvia | 1,800,000 | 430,000 | 24.0 |
| Latvia | 1,800,000 | 430,000 | 24.0 |
| Liechtenstein | 40,000 | 30,000 | 75.0 |
| Luxembourg | 660,000 | 460,000 | 70.0 |
| Malta | 557,000 | 501,300 | 90.0 |
| Moldova | 2,500,000 | 20,000 | 0.8 |
| Monaco | 39,000 | 32,760 | 84.0 |
| Montenegro | 620,000 | 21,000 | 3.4 |
| Netherlands | 18,000,000 | 3,600,000 | 20.0 |
| North Macedonia | 2,000,000 | 15,000 | 0.7 |
| Norway | 5,600,000 | 165,000 | 3.0 |
| Ottoman Empire | 35,000,000 | 1,000,000 | 3.0 |
| Papal States | 3,000,000 | 2,940,000 | 98.0 |
| Poland | 38,000,000 | 33,000,000 | 87.0 |
| Portugal | 10,500,000 | 8,505,000 | 81.0 |
| Republic of Slovenia | 2,100,000 | 1,470,000 | 70.0 |
| Republic of Türkiye | 83,000,000 | 30,000 | 0.04 |
| Roman Empire | 70,000,000 | 10,000,000 | 14.0 |
| Romania | 19,000,000 | 1,100,000 | 6.0 |
| Russia | 146,000,000 | 700,000 | 0.5 |
| San Marino | 34,000 | 31,280 | 92.0 |
| Scotland | 5,500,000 | 700,000 | 12.7 |
| Serbia | 6,600,000 | 290,000 | 4.4 |
| Slovak Republic | 5,450,000 | 3,380,000 | 62.0 |
| Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia | 23,000,000 | 6,900,000 | 30.0 |
| Spain | 47,800,000 | 28,700,000 | 60.0 |
| Sweden | 10,600,000 | 125,000 | 1.2 |
| Switzerland | 8,900,000 | 3,300,000 | 37.0 |
| Ukraine | 41,000,000 | 4,500,000 | 11.0 |
| Union of Soviet Socialist Republics | 290,000,000 | 10,000,000 | 3.5 |
| United Kingdom | 68,200,000 | 5,500,000 | 8.0 |
| West Francia | 3,000,000 | 2,700,000 | 90.0 |
Geography
Europe covers 10.18 million km², bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Asia to the east.[3] Its diverse climates range from Mediterranean warmth to Nordic tundra, supporting economies like technology in Germany and agriculture in France.
Major cities host significant Catholic communities such as:
Geography facilitates Catholic pilgrimages, with routes connecting sites like the Basilica of Saint Peter in Vatican City and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal.[4] Historic churches dot urban and rural landscapes, embedding Catholicism in Europe’s geography.
Catholic history
Catholicism in Europe began in the 1st century AD, traditionally through apostles like Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Rome, and expanded via missionaries and the Roman Empire.[5]
- The Church became central under the Holy Roman Empire, shaping medieval Europe, and remained dominant in countries like Italy and Spain, despite the Protestant Reformation.
- Key events include the:
- Establishment of the Diocese of Rome (1st century) and Toledo (4th century)
- The Great Schism of 1054, splitting Western and Eastern Christianity
- The 20th century saw resilience in Poland and challenges from secularism in Western Europe.
The Church operates 739 dioceses across Europe, led by national episcopal conferences.[6]
Demographics
Europe’s population is approximately 750 million, with Catholics numbering about 280 million (37%), concentrated in:
- Italy (50 million, 80% of its population)
- Spain (35 million, 75%)
- Poland (33 million, 87%)[7]
Ethnic diversity includes Italians, Spaniards, and Poles, with Catholicism stronger in rural and traditional communities. In countries like Sweden and Netherlands, Catholics are a minority (1–5%) amid secular and Protestant majorities. Secularization and declining church attendance pose challenges, but Catholic communities remain active in education and charity.[8]
Introduction of Catholicism
Catholicism was introduced to Europe in the 1st century AD, through early Christian communities in Rome, led by Saint Peter and Saint Paul.[9]
- Missionaries, including Saint Patrick in Ireland and Saint Boniface in Germany, spread the faith across the continent.
- The Church aligned with the Roman Empire, establishing dioceses in major cities.
- By the Middle Ages, Catholicism had rooted in most of Europe, shaping its cultural and political landscape, despite later challenges from the Reformation.[10]
Key historical events
Key Catholic events in Europe include the establishment of the:
- Diocese of Rome in the 1st century, the heart of the Catholic Church
- Archdiocese of Toledo in the 4th century, a key Visigothic center.[11]
The Council of Trent (1545–1563) countered the Reformation, strengthening Catholic doctrine.
The 1989 papal visit by Pope John Paul II to Poland galvanized resistance to communism.
Recent events include the 2013 election of Pope Francis, the first non-European pope in modern times, and ongoing Church efforts to address secularism.[12]
Catholicism Status
Catholicism is a major religion in Europe (37%), dominant in countries like Italy, Spain, and Poland, while a minority in northern countries like Norway and Denmark.[13] In secular nations like France, the Church faces declining attendance, while in Eastern Europe, it remains culturally significant. Catholicism influences education and charity through organizations like Caritas, with legal recognition in most countries, though secular policies challenge its public role.[14]
Notable Catholic sites
Pilgrimage sites
Major pilgrimage sites include the:
- Basilica of Saint Peter in Vatican City, the global center of Catholicism
- Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal, a major Marian shrine[15]
- Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France, attracting millions annually
- In Poland, the Jasna Góra Monastery houses the Black Madonna, a key devotional site
Historical Churches
Historical churches include the:
- Notre-Dame de Paris, built in 1345, a symbol of French Catholicism[16]
- Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain, designed by Antoni Gaudí, ongoing since 1882
- Wawel Cathedral in Kraków, Poland, a historic center of Polish faith, built in 1364
Saints and blesseds
Patron saints
Europe’s patron saints include:
- Saint Benedict of Nursia, patron of Europe, canonized in 1220
- Saint Cyril and Methodius, patrons of Europe, canonized in 1880[17]
- Saint Teresa of Ávila, patron of Spain, canonized in 1622
Associated saints and blesseds
Associated figures include:
- Saint Francis of Assisi, Italian founder of the Franciscans, canonized in 1228
- Blessed John Henry Newman, English theologian, canonized in 2019[18]
- Saint Joan of Arc, French martyr, canonized in 1920
- Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Spanish founder of the Jesuits, canonized in 1622
They highlight Europe’s rich Catholic heritage. Their contributions range from missionary work to theology.
See Also
References
- ↑ "Europe". CIA World Factbook. 2024-12-01. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/continents/europe/.
- ↑ "Global Christianity: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World’s Christian Population". Pew Research Center. 2011-12-19. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2011/12/19/global-christianity-exec/.
- ↑ "Europe". CIA World Factbook. 2024-12-01. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/continents/europe/.
- ↑ "Catholic Pilgrimage Sites in Europe". Catholic News Agency. 2022-06-20. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251789/european-pilgrimage-destinations.
- ↑ Herbermann, Charles G. (1913). The Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/.
- ↑ "Catholic Dioceses in Europe". GCatholic.org. 2025-01-22. http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/continent/eu.htm.
- ↑ "Global Christianity: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World’s Christian Population". Pew Research Center. 2011-12-19. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2011/12/19/global-christianity-exec/.
- ↑ "Catholic Church in Europe". Catholics & Cultures. 2023-06-10. https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/europe.
- ↑ Herbermann, Charles G. (1913). The Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/.
- ↑ "History of the Catholic Church in Europe". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. 2025-01-10. http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/country/sceu.html.
- ↑ "Catholic Dioceses in Europe". GCatholic.org. 2025-01-22. http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/continent/eu.htm.
- ↑ "Vatican News: Europe". Vatican News. 2024-11-15. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/europe.html.
- ↑ "Global Christianity: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World’s Christian Population". Pew Research Center. 2011-12-19. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2011/12/19/global-christianity-exec/.
- ↑ "Catholic Church in Europe". Catholics & Cultures. 2023-06-10. https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/europe.
- ↑ "Catholic Pilgrimage Sites in Europe". Catholic News Agency. 2022-06-20. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251789/european-pilgrimage-destinations.
- ↑ "Notre-Dame de Paris". Wikipedia. 2024-10-20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre-Dame_de_Paris.
- ↑ "List of Saints from Europe". Wikipedia. 2024-09-10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_saints_from_Europe.
- ↑ "List of Saints from Europe". Wikipedia. 2024-09-10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_saints_from_Europe.
External links
- "Europe". CIA World Factbook. 2024-12-01. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/continents/europe/.
- "Catholic Dioceses in Europe". GCatholic.org. 2025-01-22. http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/continent/eu.htm.
- "Catholic Church in Europe". Catholics & Cultures. 2023-06-10. https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/europe.