In a world where faith remains a powerful cultural force, recent data from World Population Review and Catholic World Mission highlight the countries with the largest Catholic populations. Unsurprisingly, Brazil emerges at the top of the list, boasting a staggering 140 million Catholics.

Of the 266 popes elected throughout the history of the Catholic Church, a staggering 217 were born in Italy, according to the Vatican Archives. This means over 81% of popes have hailed from a single country—an astonishing statistic that underscores Italy’s enduring influence over the Vatican and the broader Roman Catholic institution.

The division of the world into time zones reflects not only geography but also the reach of nations with far-flung territories. France holds the distinction of leading the world in time zones, a testament to its global territorial presence.