Subscribe
historical influence
World / 25 weeks ago
Top 10 countries with the largest Catholic populations
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. According to the latest reports, Catholicism in Brazil dates back to 1500, when it was introduced by Portuguese explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral. The faith deeply ingrained itself into Brazilian society, shaping its culture and traditions for centuries.
World / 28 weeks ago
Where were the popes born?
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. Italy’s overwhelming representation among popes is no coincidence. The Vatican, nestled within Rome, is both the religious and geographical heart of Catholicism. For centuries, the proximity, political power, and cultural clout of Italy made it the natural birthplace for pontiffs, especially during the medieval and Renaissance eras when the papacy was heavily entwined with Italian politics.
World / 51 weeks ago
France tops the list of countries with the most time zones
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. World Atlas reveals that France claims 12 official time zones, which expands to 13 if its Antarctic territories are included. This wide coverage stems from the nation’s overseas regions and territories, including French Polynesia in the Pacific and Réunion in the Indian Ocean, showcasing its historical and geographical influence across the globe.
