Until three years ago, Sara Cabral’s faith journey mirrored that of other Southern European youth — ‘Catholic but never practicing,’ without much relevance to her life in Spain’s Canary Islands. Her perspective shifted dramatically after hearing a song from a youth faith group, which made her feel like God was speaking directly to her. Joining the group has since become a source of joy, especially as Cabral prepares for Pope Leo XIV’s Mass in Gran Canaria with friends.
Cabral, 26, describes a sense of emptiness that she couldn’t initially understand. ‘God is the one looking for you first, but you need to go meet him,’ she explains. This sentiment resonates with thousands of young people in traditionally Catholic yet increasingly secular countries like Spain and France, where historic churches remain but Mass attendance has dwindled. The success of youth movements and a rise in adult baptisms indicate a renewed interest in the church among some young people.
Rev. Josetxo Vera, spokesperson for Spain’s Catholic Bishops Conference, observes that young people are approaching faith with surprise. ‘It’s an excellent opportunity that bursts forth from heaven,’ he states. Vera noticed that teens increasingly ask for baptism, influenced by Christian messages in popular culture, like those in Catalan pop star Rosalía’s spirituality-infused album Lux.
Until 1975, Spain was under the rule of dictator Gen. Francisco Franco, whose regime was aligned with a traditional Catholic Church. Following Franco’s reign, Spain transitioned to a democracy, leading to what Mónica Cornejo Valle, a religion professor at Complutense University in Madrid, calls a ‘divorce between popular piety and the church’s religious culture.’ Despite this separation, religious processions and feasts remain prevalent, highlighting Spain’s historical role in global Catholicism’s expansion.
Despite having nearly 23,000 active Catholic parishes, Spain has not seen a rebound in new priestly ordinations. A Pew Research Center survey conducted in 2024 indicated that while 80% of Spanish adults were raised Catholic, only 47% currently identify as Catholic, with a mere 2% added from non-Catholic backgrounds. Furthermore, only about 16% of Spanish Catholics attend Mass weekly as expected.
José María Marrero, a friend of Cabral’s, recalls how attending Mass as a child mostly involved seeing older parishioners. His wife, a teacher who was baptized in her early twenties, mentioned her students’ unfamiliarity with religious images. Scholars like Cornejo Valle warn that the perceived revival may be a ‘publicity effect’ driven by media use.
Leaders of youth movements view this environment as a ‘blank slate’ to spread a message of joy and simplicity. Cabral calls for transmitting Jesus’ message with happiness and clarity. Her group is part of Hakuna, attracting around 35,000 youth. Starting in a Madrid parish in the early 2010s, the group offers Eucharistic adoration, lectures, and social gatherings, with significant growth since becoming an official church organization in 2017.
Maca Torres, a spokesperson for Hakuna, notes that most members are former practitioners, with a few converts. The Holy Spirit surprises them with success. More than 13,300 baptisms for people over 7 years old were registered in the latest report from Spain’s Catholic bishops conference. In France, 13,000 adults were baptized at the Easter Vigil this year, with 42% between 18 and 25 years old, tripling the numbers from a decade ago.
Pope Leo XIV, during a Vatican gathering with French baptism candidates, encouraged sharing their faith experiences. Leo expressed joy witnessing youth engaging with faith to give life meaning, guided by Christ’s Gospel.
The appeal for young people includes disenchantment with institutions and social media loneliness, alongside a church focused more on social justice than doctrine, initiated by Pope Francis. Leo’s upcoming visit to Spain involves a prayer vigil with youth and outreach initiatives appealing to progressive youth.
Cornejo Valle states that while the number of Catholic youths hasn’t grown much, their commitment seems stronger.
A Quest for Meaning That Leads to the Pews
María Salazar, 23, leads Effetá’s Barcelona branch, a global Catholic youth movement. Her peers seek diverse spirituality forms, ‘a feeling of peace,’ she remarks, contrasting the ‘microwave society’ demands for immediacy to the Lord’s slower, purposeful way.
A youth surge is observed at Salazar’s parish, notably the Sagrada Familia, architect Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece and a top European tourist site. Around 120 participate in Eucharistic adoration and spiritual retreats, with preparations extending late into the night.
Volunteers assist elderly Mass attendees and international tourists. Pope Leo will celebrate Mass and inaugurate the new Jesus Christ tower on June 10. Salazar cherishes seeing the tower, viewing it as a home God provided.
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