From TikTok to church pews, France's Catholic influencers find a new flock
Summary
In France, Catholic influencers are using social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram to reach young people and encourage interest in the Catholic Church. This new approach has helped increase the number of adult and teenage baptisms, reversing a long-term decline in religious participation. Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming visit to France, including a large youth prayer event, reflects this renewed religious engagement.Key Facts
- Hundreds of thousands registered quickly for Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Paris in September 2026, especially for a youth prayer event at Stade de France.
- Adult and teen baptisms in France rose sharply from under 6,000 in 2022 to over 21,000 in 2026.
- The number of Catholic priests in France dropped from 65,000 in 1960 to 12,000 in 2023.
- Catholic influencers like Brother Paul-Adrien, Sister Albertine, and Father Benoît use modern social media styles to spread Catholic messages.
- Brother Paul-Adrien has hundreds of thousands of followers on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, mixing humor and traditional religious teaching.
- A study found that one in five adults baptized in 2025 mentioned Catholic influencers as an influence on their decision.
- Sister Albertine uses Instagram to share her life as a nun and clear up common misconceptions about religious life.
- Father Benoît started sharing videos on TikTok and Instagram to connect with followers in a modern way.
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