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Top 10 Countries With Highest Number Of Churches 2024

As Christianity continues to be one of the world’s most practiced religions, certain countries stand out for their sheer number of churches
When it comes to the expression of faith and spirituality, few things are as significant as places of worship. Churches, in particular, have played a central role in the spiritual lives of millions worldwide.
These sacred spaces not only serve as venues for worship but also act as pillars of community life, education, and social support. As Christianity continues to be one of the world’s most practiced religions, certain countries stand out for their sheer number of churches.
This article explores the top 10 countries with the highest number of churches, per ratings from Bscholarly, delving into the historical, cultural, and social factors that have led to their proliferation.
1. Vatican City
While Vatican City is the smallest country in Europe by population, it holds a unique distinction: it boasts the highest concentration of churches. With around 1,700 churches, Vatican City has more churches per capita than any other country. This small, yet powerful state, located within Rome, Italy, is home to about 1,000 residents and hosts St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the holiest sites for Catholics worldwide.
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2. Rwanda
Rwanda, with a Christian population of 93.6%, is predominantly Roman Catholic. Despite being one of Africa’s smallest and most densely populated countries, it has an estimated population of 11 million people, with around 1 million identifying as Christians. The country’s rich history and significant Christian presence have earned it the nickname “the Jerusalem of Africa” by some Westerners, particularly after the 1967 conflict between Christians and Muslims.
3. Malawi
Malawi stands out with the highest number of churches per capita, with one church for every 132 people. The country has approximately 10,000 churches spread across its territory, reflecting its deep-rooted Christian heritage. Many of these churches date back to colonial times when missionaries established numerous Catholic churches and chapels independently of government support. Before gaining independence from Britain in 1964, Malawi was known as Nyasaland, meaning “the land of lakes.”
4. Angola
Christianity is the dominant religion in Angola, with 95% of the population identifying as Christians. The majority are Roman Catholics, while the rest belong to various Protestant denominations like Methodists, Congregationalists, and Baptists. Christian missionaries played a crucial role in spreading Christianity across Angola, also contributing to the country’s social development through initiatives like free medical care and education.
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5. Romania
Romania, located in Southeastern Europe with Bucharest as its capital, is home to approximately 1,800 churches. The country’s cultural and ethnic identity is deeply influenced by Roman history, shaped by its strategic location along major migration routes in Europe. The Orthodox Church, one of the three major Christian denominations, is predominant in Romania, where about 200 million people adhere to Orthodox Christianity.
6. Italy
Italy, with a population of 60.6 million, is the fourth-largest economy in Europe and a founding member of the European Union. It has a rich cultural heritage, reflected in its art and architecture, with masterpieces like Michelangelo’s David, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, and Brunelleschi’s Duomo in Florence. Italy is also home to a significant number of churches, a testament to its deep-rooted Christian traditions.
7. Poland
Poland, situated in Central Europe with a population of 38.5 million, is home to over 10,000 churches. The country’s history is steeped in Catholic tradition, which plays a central role in Polish culture and identity. Polish cuisine, influenced by Russian, Ukrainian, Lithuanian, and German culinary traditions, reflects the country’s rich heritage, with dishes passed down through generations.
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8. Spain
Spain is a country with a deep European heritage, influenced by significant historical events such as the discovery of the Americas and its neutral stance during the world wars. The Catholic Church has long played a pivotal role in Spanish history, influencing both political and social landscapes. The Church in Spain grew as new members shared their faith with their communities, further solidifying its influence.
9. Portugal
Portugal, one of Europe’s most religious countries, has a long-standing Christian heritage, with 90% of its population identifying as Catholic. Despite its relatively small size, Portugal maintains strong ties with religious institutions, offering benefits such as tax rebates for clergy. The Catholic faith continues to be a significant aspect of Portuguese society.
10. São Tomé and Príncipe
The small island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe, located in the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of Central Africa, was settled in the 15th century by Portuguese explorers. The islands became a crucial hub for the African slave trade, and today, Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion, with 55.7% of the population identifying as Catholic, a legacy of Portuguese colonialism.
SOURCE: VANGUARD
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UK Police Arrest Asylum Seeker Sex Offender Mistakenly Freed

The UK police on Sunday arrested an Ethiopian asylum seeker and convicted sex offender, whose crimes had sparked anti-immigration protests, after he was accidentally released from prison in an embarrassing blunder by British authorities.
London’s Metropolitan Police said officers arrested Hadush Kebatu in the north of the capital on Sunday morning, nearly 48 hours after he was mistakenly freed around 30 miles (48 kilometres) away.
Kebatu, 38, had served the first month of a one-year sentence for sexually assaulting a teenage girl and a woman, but was reportedly due to be deported when the Prison Service error occurred on Friday.
His high-profile case earlier this year in Epping, northeast of London, sparked demonstrations in various English towns and cities where asylum seekers were believed to be housed, as well as counter-protests.
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Commander James Conway, who oversaw the manhunt for him, said “information from the public” led officers to the Finsbury Park neighbourhood of London, where he was found.
“He was detained by police but will be returned to the custody of the Prison Service,” he added.
Kebatu is now expected to be deported.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Friday he was “appalled” by the “totally unacceptable” mistake that saw him freed rather than sent to an immigration detention centre.
The Telegraph newspaper said he was wrongly categorised for release on licence and handed a £76 ($101) discharge grant.
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Police had appealed Saturday for Kebatu to turn himself in, after reports emerged that he had appeared confused and reluctant to leave the prison in Chelmsford, eastern England.
A delivery driver described seeing Kebatu return several times in a “very confused” state, only to be turned away by staff and directed to the railway station.
The driver told Sky News he saw Kebatu outside the jail, asking, “Where am I going? What am I doing?”
“He was starting to get upset, he was getting stressed,” the driver said.
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The father of Kebatu’s anonymous teenage victim told the broadcaster that “the justice system has let us down.”
Police arrested the asylum seeker in July after he repeatedly tried to kiss a 14-year-old girl and touch her legs, and made sexually explicit comments to her.
He also sexually assaulted an adult woman, placing a hand on her thigh, when she intervened to stop his interactions with the girl.
He was staying at the time at Epping’s Bell Hotel, where scores of other asylum seekers have been accommodated, and which became the target of repeated protests.
AFP
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Madagascar Revokes Ousted President’s Nationality

Madagascar’s new government has stripped ousted president Andry Rajoelina of his Malagasy nationality in a decree published Friday, 10 days after he was removed in a military takeover.
According to AFP, the decree means that Rajoelina, who was impeached on October 14 after fleeing the island nation in the wake of weeks of protests, would not be able to contest future election.
The decree published in the official gazette said Rajoelina’s Malagasy nationality was revoked because he had acquired French nationality in 2014, local media reported, as photographs of the document were shared online.
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French broadcaster RFI said it had confirmed the decree with the entourage of the new prime minister, Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo, who signed the order.
The decree cited laws stipulating that a Malagasy who voluntarily acquires a foreign nationality loses their Malagasy nationality.
Rajoelina’s French nationality caused a scandal when it was revealed ahead of the November 2023 elections, nearly 10 years after it was granted.
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It triggered calls for him to be disqualified but he went on to win the contested polls, which were boycotted by opposition parties.
The 51-year-old politician fled Madagascar after army Colonel Michael Randrianirina said on October 11 his CAPSAT unit would refuse orders to put down the youth-led protest movement, which security forces had attempted to suppress with violence.
Rajoelina said later he was in hiding for his safety, but did not say where.
Randrianirina was sworn in as president on October 14, pledging elections within two years.
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Kamala Harris Hints At Running For President Again

Former US vice president Kamala Harris said in a British television interview previewed in Saturday that she may “possibly” run again to be president.
Harris, who replaced Joe Biden as the 2024 Democratic presidential candidate but lost to Donald Trump, told the BBC that she had not yet decided whether to make another White House bid.
But the 61-year-old insisted she was “not done” in American politics and that her young grandnieces would see a female president in the Oval Office “in their lifetime, for sure”.
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“I have lived my entire career a life of service, and it’s in my bones, and there are many ways to serve.
“I’ve not decided yet what I will do in the future, beyond what I am doing right now,” Harris told the British broadcaster in an interview set to air in full on Sunday.
The comments are the strongest hint yet that Harris could attempt to be the Democratic Party nominee for the 2028 election.
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The interview follows the release of her memoir last month, in which she argued it had been “recklessness” to let Biden run for a second term as president.
She also accused his White House team of failing to support her while she was his deputy, and at times of actively hindering her.
AFP
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