Sara Cabral, once a ‘Catholic but never practicing’ youth, found renewed faith through a song from a religious youth group. Raised in Spain’s Canary Islands, she now actively participates in the group’s weekly music sessions and prepares eagerly to attend Pope Leo XIV’s Mass in Gran Canaria. Cabral, 26, describes her journey as a quest to fill an emptiness, emphasizing the search for God.
Pope Leo’s visits to Spain and France will encounter many young people in traditionally Catholic countries that currently experience strong secularism. The abundance of historic churches contrasts with sparse Mass attendance. Some church leaders and experts see a growing interest among youth in the church, challenging it towards a more inclusive message.
“They are drawing near with a look of surprise,” said Rev. Josetxo Vera from Spain’s Catholic Bishops Conference, highlighting the potential in these shifting perspectives.
A decrease in faith practices has created opportunities for new exploration. Vera notes a trend of youth surprising their atheist parents by showing interest in baptism influenced by cultural figures like pop star Rosalía.
Traditionally, Spain faced a ‘divorce’ between popular religious practices and the church following its transition from Dictator Gen. Francisco Franco’s rule. Despite nearly 23,000 Catholic parishes, new priestly ordinations remain stagnant. A Pew Research Center survey from 2024 reveals that while 80% of Spanish adults were raised Catholic, only 47% still identify as such, with just 2% converting from other religions.
Youth involvement grows in movements like Hakuna, a group originating in a Madrid parish. Beginning in the early 2010s with Eucharistic adoration and social meetups, Hakuna has expanded into a wider organization offering concerts and volunteer activities. According to spokeswoman Maca Torres, many members had ceased practice before joining.
Baptism rates tell a compelling story; over 13,300 Spaniards older than seven embraced the faith in recent reports. Meanwhile, France witnessed a surge in adult baptisms, with 13,000 adults baptized at Easter, including many young adults aged 18 to 25. Pope Leo encouraged sharing faith experiences to guide daily life during a Vatican gathering last summer.
The appeal for youth combines disillusionment with other institutions and isolation from social media, aligning with the Church’s focus on social justice since Pope Francis. On his visit to Spain, Leo will lead a youth prayer vigil in Madrid while visiting migrant centers and a prison.
Cornejo Valle notes that while Catholic numbers might not have significantly increased, the existing youth is more committed.
Maria Salazar, 23, leads the Barcelona branch of the Catholic youth movement Effetá, observing that her peers seek peace over faith. Effetá sees growing youth participation, even in places like the famed Sagrada Familia, engaging in retreats and services. Salazar expresses enthusiasm for the pope’s forthcoming visit, which includes the inauguration of Sagrada Familia’s new tower.