Catholic churches in the United States are drawing growing interest among young people, The Wall Street Journal reported May 3. The trend has been compared to the way Buddhism in South Korea has gained a “cool religion” image among younger generations in recent years.
The Journal visited St. Joseph’s Church in Lower Manhattan, where the 6 p.m. Sunday Mass was packed. Some worshippers sat on balcony steps or leaned against walls through the 90-minute service. When it came time for Communion, the narrow aisles became difficult to navigate because of the crowd.
Many of those attending had first gone to a nearby pizza shop for a gathering called “Pizza to Pew.” Young adults meet, eat pizza and talk, then walk together to church. The Journal said some come as far as Boston by train. For some, church has become part of a weekend routine and a place for spiritual community; some also attend in hopes of meeting a date.
Citing the Barna Group, which studies religion in the United States, the Journal reported that Gen Z Christians attend church more than members of Generation X, millennials or baby boomers. Barna has tracked monthly attendance since 2020 and said that in 2025, young people went to church on weekends twice a month, the highest level in five years.
The Journal also noted rising interest in religion among young men over the past three years. As of April last year, 42% of young men in the United States said religion is important, up 14 percentage points from 28% in a 2023 survey and higher than the share among women, it said.
Some older Catholics who emphasize doctrine and tradition may have concerns. According to a Catholic newspaper, canon law says Catholics should abstain from food and drink for one hour before receiving Communion, except for water and medicine. It also says spiritual life and faith should come before social gatherings at church.
Clergy, however, have encouraged the influx of young worshippers. In a recent homily, a priest said, “There is only one reason to attend Mass: the Lord’s love,” adding that he had heard people had other reasons as well. As laughter spread through the pews, he added that “the thrill of falling in love with a beautiful woman” could be strong, too. Videos of religious figures encouraging young churchgoers at pizza gatherings are also easy to find on TikTok.
As Catholicism gains popularity among young people, the number of new members is rising. At St. Joseph’s in New York, 90 people were baptized and received First Communion this Easter. At nearby Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral, 70 were baptized. Both totals were double the previous year.
The New York Times reported that 1,428 new members were baptized in the Archdiocese of Detroit this Easter, the highest figure in 21 years. Some have linked the rise to the inauguration of Leo XIV, the first pope from the United States, the paper said.
Mitchell Thomas Rozanski, archbishop of St. Louis, said technology has isolated people and the COVID-19 pandemic deepened that isolation. “In an era full of uncertainty and anxiety, people are returning to faith to satisfy their thirst for the Lord,” he said. Cardinal Robert McElroy of the Archdiocese of Washington told CBS, “Unfortunately, we live in a world without moral leaders,” adding that this is drawing young people, especially young adults, to church.
According to Pew Research Center, the United States has 53 million Catholics, and 8% are converts from other religions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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