Something extraordinary happened in France in the year 2025: more than 10,300 adults were baptized into the Catholic Church — the highest number recorded in the past 20 years.
This unprecedented surge is even more striking because of the demographic of the new converts: mostly Gen Z adults between 18 and 25 who did not grow up in practicing families.
According to the French Institute of Public Opinion, more than 50% of the population in France identifies as atheist.
MSGR. GUILLAUME DERVILLE
Director of the Fontblin Priestly Center, France
These are genuine conversions, not something superficial. And I ask myself: where does this come from? Why so many? Are we doing things better? The only explanation I can find fits in two words: the Holy Spirit.
Now, the Church in France faces a double challenge: one the one hand, integrating catechumens into already existing communities; and on the other, ensuring their faith takes root and does not fade after the initial enthusiasm. For now, this is how they are trying to achieve both goals.
MSGR. GUILLAUME DERVILLE
Director of the Fontblin Priestly Center, France
In Paris in particular, there is personal follow-up.
And then group formation, so that they get to know one another, help one another, and grow together.
Fr. Derville explains that bringing people closer to the faith and building community is difficult in a country like France.
We face the challenge of individualism, which is like a sickness in relationships.
And I think, ultimately, that in a society where God does not exist, where God is not spoken about, where that possibility is not even considered…paradoxically, God comes in through the window, so to speak, and surprises us.
The bishops of France have launched a nationwide pastoral initiative that will last an entire year—the purpose? To study in depth the reasons behind these conversions and to accompany converts undergoing profound spiritual development.
MSGR. GUILLAUME DERVILLE
Director of the Fontblin Priestly Center
How can we ensure that these people truly grow throughout their lives and that it’s not like a ‘firework’ that quickly burns out?
The Catholic youth of France have played a key role in this conversion surge—both online and in-person—and have contributed to the trend toward more expressive, communal, and renewed forms of faith.
MSGR. GUILLAUME DERVILLE
Director of the Fontblin Priestly Center
Now it’s almost, I would say, ‘trendy’: many young people go to Montmartre and to churches to spend the night adoring the Blessed Sacrament.
The new challenges are immense, but at the same time a great joy, says Fr. Derville—one that opens the door to a new horizon and possibly a new era for the Catholic Church in France.
