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Top 10 Countries With Highest Number Of Churches 2024

Published

1 year ago

September 1, 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.

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.

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.

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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Australian Govt Official Declares ‘Red Wednesday’ Over Attack On Kwara Church

Published

7 hours ago

November 19, 2025

Editor

Chairman of the Australian Committee for NATO enlargement, Gunther Fehlinger-Jahn, has declared a ‘Red Wednesday’ as part of a global awareness campaign against alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

Gunther made this known in a post on X while reacting to the recent attack on Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, in Kwara State.

Recall that terrorists on Tuesday invaded the church located in Eruku town, Ekiti Local Government Area of the state, and opened fire on worshipers.

According to reports, the resident pastor and some persons were killed while majority of the worshipers were taken away to unknown destinations.

Reacting, Gunther in his X post said the incessant attacks on Nigerian Christians “is unacceptable”.

He wrote, “I got this video sent of an Islamist attack on a church in Nigeria. Today is #RedWednesday the global awareness day against prosecution of Christians.”

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Pope Decries Lack Of Political Will On Climate Change

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1 day ago

November 18, 2025

Editor

Pope Leo XIV on Monday urged “concrete actions” on climate change and complained that some leaders lacked the will to act, as he addressed religious dignitaries on the sidelines of the COP30 summit.

The Vatican released the American pope’s address to churches of the southern hemisphere assembled on the sidelines of the UN climate talks in Belem, Brazil, in which he called the Amazon region “a living symbol of creation with an urgent need for care”.

“Creation is crying out in floods, droughts, storms and relentless heat,” the pope said.

“One in three people live in great vulnerability because of these climate changes. To them, climate change is not a distant threat, and to ignore these people is to deny our shared humanity,” he added.

“What is failing is the political will of some.”

The UN climate negotiations enter their final stretch this week, with nations split on key issues as government ministers began arriving Monday to take over negotiations.

“There is still time to keep the rise in global temperature below 1.5C, but the window is closing,” warned Leo, who called for “concrete actions” while championing the landmark Paris Agreement.

– Pope defends Paris Agreement –

The historic 2015 accord, from which US President Donald Trump has said he will withdraw the United States for the second time, aims to keep temperature rises “well below” 2C compared to pre-industrial levels and, if possible, to 1.5C.

The Paris Agreement was the “strongest tool for protecting people and the planet”, Leo said, decrying a lack of effort by some leaders, whom he did not name.

“True leadership means service and support on a scale that will truly make a difference,” he said, urging firmer climate action to bring about “stronger and fairer economic systems”.

“Let us send a clear global signal together: nations standing in unwavering solidarity behind the Paris Agreement and climate cooperation,” he said.

Since being made pope in May, the Chicago-born pontiff — who spent about 20 years as a missionary in Peru — has urged more pressure on governments to stop climate change.

Last month, during a climate conference near Rome, he called for an “ecological conversion” to help vulnerable communities.

October marked the 10-year anniversary of the late Pope Francis’s landmark climate manifesto “Laudato Si”, which appealed for action on human-caused global warming.

COP30, without the presence of the US government, is scheduled to end in five days, but groups of countries still disagree on many issues, including climate ambition, unilateral trade measures, and finance.

Some countries also want a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels.

UN climate chief Simon Stiell welcomed what he called Pope Leo’s “strong message”.

“His words urge us to continue to choose hope and action,” he said.

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Genocide: U.S. Lawmaker Alleges Tinubu Lying, Protecting Own Interest

Published

2 days ago

November 18, 2025

Editor

Riley Moore

…Congress to debate ‘Christian Persecution’ in Nigeria on Thursday

United States (U.S.) lawmaker, Riley Moore, has dismissed President Bola Tinubu’s denial of the targeted killing of Christians as “completely false”.

Moore said Tinubu’s denial was to “protect his interests,” adding that Nigeria’s political leaders were “complicit” in the killing of Christians.

In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Moore noted Tinubu’s statement, claiming that the “characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality” as incorrect.

Meanwhile, the Congress will, on Thursday, debate the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

This was as International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule (Intersociety) raised fresh claims 99 Christians were, again, killed in Nigeria in 14 days.

“Unfortunately, that is completely false. There are states in Nigeria that have blasphemy laws. People are facing the death penalty for blasphemy against Islam,” the U.S. lawmaker said. “I know President Tinubu is in a difficult position, and trying to protect his interests there in the country. But they are complicit in this to some degree or another for a statement like this.”

Moore cited the case of an Adamawa Christian farmer, Sunday Jackson, who was sentenced to death for defending himself against a killer herdsman.

“There is serious persecution in Nigeria,” Moore said.
CONGRESS is set to convene a hearing on Thursday to examine allegations of widespread persecution of Christians in Nigeria, following President Donald Trump’s recent decision to redesignate the country as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).

The session will be led by Congressman Chris Smith, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, and a vocal advocate for stronger U.S. action on reported religious violence in Nigeria.

Smith previously introduced a congressional resolution naming the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore as responsible actors in several attacks. The resolution recommends visa bans and asset freezes against members of the groups.

It also called on White House to classify “Fulani-Ethnic Militias” operating in states such as Benue and Plateau under the Entities of Particular Concern (EPC) framework established by the International Religious Freedom Act.

Witnesses scheduled to testify include Jonathan Pratt, senior bureau official at the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, and Jacob McGee, deputy assistant secretary at the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour.

A second panel is expected to feature Nina Shea, senior fellow and director at the Centre for Religious Freedom; Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Makurdi Catholic Diocese; and Oge Onubogu, director and senior fellow for the Africa Programme at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
INTERSOCIETY alleged in a statement yesterday that 99 Christians were killed within the last 14 days.

It stated that the killing occurred between October 28 and November 11, adding that 114 others were kidnapped by the group that carried out the action, called Jihadist militants.

The report was signed by the Head, Intersociety, Emeka Umeagbalasi, and two human rights lawyers, Joy Igboeli and Ogochukwu Obi.