Adult baptisms in France increase 28%, driven by surge among young people

(LifeSiteNews) — France has seen a 28% spike in adult baptisms in 2026, continuing a recent trend in conversions despite decades of declining religious practice.

According to figures released by the Catholic Church in France, 13,234 adults were baptized this year, a trend driven in large part by young adults and online evangelization. Notably, 42% of newly baptized adults are ages 18 to 25. 

“Today, we’re facing a surprising phenomenon,” said Fr. Matthieu Raffray, a French priest known for his apostolate on social media. “In a society in which we claim religion belongs to the past, more and more people are beginning to be interested in Christianity.” 

Fr. Raffray, who regularly publishes videos on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, has attracted more than 330,000 followers, many of whom are young people with little or no previous religious formation. Other Catholic content creators in France like Victor, a Gen Z YouTuber who has nearly 100,000 subscribers, have similarly sought to present the faith to a new generation online. 

Their efforts appear to coincide with a growing number of conversions among young French adults. One recent convert, a 27-year-old engineer who previously identified as an atheist and was raised without religious education, first encountered Catholic teaching through social media during a difficult period in his life. He soon began attending Mass daily and has since entered the seminary. His example also contributed to his parents returning to the practice of their faith after decades away. 

This rise in adult baptisms comes amid a long-term decline in religious observance in France. Once known as the “Eldest Daughter of the Church,” the country has seen a dramatic drop in Mass attendance over the past half-century. In 1961, approximately 35% of the population attended Sunday Mass; by recent estimates, only 5% attend now. 

France has also experienced a sharp decline in the number of priests. In the early 1960s, the country counted roughly 65,000 priests. Today, that number has fallen to around 12,000, with fewer than 7,000 in active ministry and many nearing retirement age. The extreme shortage has left many clergy responsible for multiple parishes, with limited resources for the formation of new converts. 

Policies like the French model of laïcité, established in 1905, restrict religious expression in public institutions such as schools and government buildings. Critics of laïcité, including French political scientist Olivier Roy, have argued that such measures have contributed to “the expulsion of religion from the public sphere,” thereby undermining religious practice, particularly among younger generations who often grow up with little exposure to the faith. 

Despite the challenges, some clergy see the current increase in adult baptisms as a sign of renewed interest in Christianity in an increasingly secular society. “It’s a joy for the Church, a sign of vitality,” Archbishop Olivier de Germay of Lyon said during a recent press conference. “Ten years ago, religion seemed a bit passé, but today, a thirst for spirituality is appearing.” 

The growing number of catechumens, particularly among young adults, suggests that questions of meaning and belief remain present even in a culture where religious practice has largely declined.  

Among the newly baptized, 40% started their journey to the faith in the wake of a difficult life event such as illness or loss.  

At the same time, this surge presents practical and pastoral challenges. With fewer priests available to accompany new converts, dioceses across France face a difficult task: providing adequate catechesis and guidance to ensure the solid religious foundation of the next generation of Catholics.