Catholic share falls, practice stays high

A new Pew survey of six Latin American countries finds that the percentage identifying as Catholic has dropped substantially in the last decade (Peru 76%→67%; Mexico 81%→71%), while many remaining Catholics report high religious practice (e.g., 70% of Brazilian Catholics pray daily). That combination — shrinking mass affiliation but persistent intensity among adherents — changes how religion will influence politics, social services and public life. — If affiliation continues to fall while observance remains strong among those left, churches and political actors will face a more concentrated but potentially politically pivotal religious constituency across Latin America.