RIP Pope Francis. The profound shifts shaping the Catholic Church today.
The number of baptisms worldwide has steadily declined. In Latin America — home to the largest share of Catholics — this drop closely tracks the sharp decline in fertility rates. Between 1998 and 2024, baptisms fell from 17.9 million to 13 million, while fertility dropped from 2.74 to 1.78 children per woman. The correlation between both trends exceeds 0.9.
These numbers are not just demographic. They reflect deep cultural and societal transformations affecting how communities live, gather, and believe.
In the Global North, unused and underutilized parish buildings have become increasingly common — a phenomenon that cannot be generalized globally, but is undeniably growing.
Montreal offers a forward-looking response: its archdiocese has just launched a non-profit real estate arm to repurpose church properties for social good, including affordable housing and shelters. With over 180 parishes, many in central locations, this move recognizes both the heritage and potential of these spaces.
If demographic and cultural trends continue, this model may not be so distant from the realities of other regions around the world.