[theqoo] CATHOLICISM SAID TO BE BOOMING IN THE U.S. RIGHT NOW

Nowadays, they’ve been eating pizza every week

“And church-going gatherings are trending” 

It’s been a booming trend among American Gen Z’s lately 

“Mass instead of clubs”… New York Gen Z’s new ‘hot spot’ is the cathedral.” 

‘Holy Girl Walk’ instead of ‘Hot Girl Walk’. 

“Going to church instead of bars”… New York Gen Z hooked on ‘Sunday Mass’.

It is said that as many as nearly 200 people gather at each location

There’s been a huge participation 

In fact, the search volume for ‘Catholic’ in the U.S. has been on the rise for the past 5 years. Especially since February this year, it has been record high 

“Attendance have found to have nearly doubled”

Brooklyn pastor Hwang Pilgu: 

I can definitely say I feel it first-hand. There have been especially a lot of young people being baptized at the Easter Vigil Mass in the past few years. 

“Why is the youth suddenly interested in Catholicism?”

“A culture that combines faith and daily life is spreading rapidly through social media”

First of all, church-related content spread rapidly through social media

Just like Buddhism is popular as “hip Buddhism” in our country. It is said that Catholicism is also popular in the U.S. as “Hip-Tholic.” 

“It also offers a very welcoming atmosphere”

And it is speculated that Leo XIV, the first American to become Pope, also played a significant role

“Leo XIV has contributed to the “hip” and friendly image of Catholicism among the youth. He played a role in attracting the younger generation’s attention.”

“The church became s a space where people connect and feel a sense of belonging.”

There are many people who like the solemn atmosphere where one can quietly meditate and pray without the hustle and bustle…

“On the other hand, I actually liked the quiet and solemn atmosphere”

Park Geunhyung (3 years living in the U.S.) 

– I like praying alone in places where it’s a bit more quiet

1. Isn’t the Catholic Church extremely conservative? I think I read that it is a male-dominated and conservative place

2. Catholicism is undeniable, but Protestantism…

3. Did Leo XIV changed something..?

4. Oh, that’s great. I wish more people would convert to Catholicism in Korea too. There aren’t many young people in the church~ ㅠㅠ

5. As soon as I saw the title, I thought it was because of the Pope ㅋㅋㅋㅋ He definitely looked younger and more approachable than previous Popes

6. Catholicism in the U.S. doesn’t feel far-right at all… Even Pope Leo is anti-Trump, so why are these clueless people making such a fuss

7. I do like the church atmosphere, too (I’ve been a lapsed Catholic for 10 years)

8. It’s surprising, considering Catholicism usually has a worse image overseas, perceived as a corrupt religion

9. I like the cathedral because it’s pretty

10. I heard that the religious population is declining worldwide, so this is interesting