For over a month, the Catholic Church has been the focus of public interest. Online searches for “how to convert to Catholicism” increased by 373% between April 20 and 26.
Newsroom (05/22/2025 10:10, Gaudium Press) During Pope Francis’ illness—and especially following his passing on April 21—the Catholic Church gained significant media attention. There was growing interest in the General Congregations of the Cardinals, anticipation of the conclave, the election of Pope Leo XIV, and the first acts of the new Pontiff.
This Catholic “media exposure” over the past month was reflected in a surprising development: between April 20 and 26, Google searches for the phrase “how to convert to Catholicism” rose by 373%.
The data surprised experts such as Magdalena Petrusic, senior analyst at Vatican Tickets & Tours, who compiled the Google Trends figures. “It’s unlike anything we’ve tracked before,” she said. “We’re used to seeing spikes in tourism or event requests when a major religious figure passes away. But this was different. People weren’t planning trips—they were searching for conversion.”
Indeed, the data also points to a deeper trend quietly taking shape: a generational shift in religious participation. A recent report by the Bible Society, titled The Quiet Revival, highlights a significant rise in Christian interest, especially among Generation Z and millennials between the ages of 18 and 34. While Anglican church attendance in the UK has declined in recent years, Catholic participation in the same age group has surged dramatically—from 23% in 2018 to 41% in 2024. This Catholic resurgence stands out for both its breadth and depth.
“It used to be assumed that younger generations were drifting away from faith. That’s only half true,” said Dr. Alina Meredith, a sociology of religion professor at the University of Oxford. “What we’re witnessing now isn’t a rejection of belief, but a rejection of empty rituals.”
This increase in searches should be examined more specifically in light of the question: “How to become Catholic?” It’s not merely curiosity about recent Catholic events, but an underlying desire to understand how to enter the Church. Some analysts also suggest that many of these internet users are rediscovering their identity as “Catholics,” influenced by the Church’s heightened media presence in recent days.
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj with information from Zenit.
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