It is set to happen during Easter.
This Easter, France’s Roman Catholic Church is preparing to welcome over 10,000 new adult members through baptism, a record-breaking figure not seen in more than two decades. Alongside the adults, nearly 7,400 young people aged 11 to 17 are also scheduled to be baptized. These figures reflect a remarkable 45% increase in adult baptisms compared to the previous year, according to the Church’s most recent annual report, which began tracking these statistics in 2002.
A significant shift has also been observed in the demographics of the newly baptized. Young adults aged 18 to 25 — including university students and early-career professionals — now comprise 42% of adult baptisms, surpassing those aged 26 to 40. The report highlights a particularly sharp increase in adolescent baptisms as well, with a 33% rise recorded in dioceses that reported data for both 2024 and 2025.
In addition to the surge in baptisms, French parishes are also seeing a notable uptick in worship attendance. Earlier this year, the publication Famille Chrétienne reported unprecedented crowds during Ash Wednesday services, marking the beginning of Lent. At Saint-Eubert Church in Lille, Father Benoist de Sinety described record-breaking attendance across three Masses, noting the presence of many young participants who were attending for the first time.
This resurgence in religious activity comes against a backdrop of France’s complex relationship with Catholicism. Historically a major force in the Catholic world, France has also experienced periods of intense secularism, particularly following the 1789 French Revolution. Despite this, signs of renewed spiritual engagement are emerging in various ways across the country.
One prominent example of renewed cultural and spiritual interest is the recent reopening of Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral. Closed for over five years due to a devastating fire in 2019, the iconic structure has been restored through a global effort that raised nearly $900 million from supporters in about 150 nations. President Emmanuel Macron praised the restoration as a symbol of national healing and resilience, calling the rebuilt cathedral a transformation of “ashes into art.”