In 2026, France is witnessing a dramatic increase in the number of young people entering the catechumenate, the period of preparation for baptism in the Catholic Church. More than 21,000 adolescents and young adults have begun this journey, according to France 24.
This phenomenon coincides with preparations for the visit of Pope Leon XIV to the country, an event that appears to be fueling this unprecedented enthusiasm for the Catholic faith among Generation Z.
This trend raises questions about the motivations of this youth, who are renewing their interest in a religion long perceived as declining in France.