‘Yes’ to God, but ‘no’ to church – what religious change looks like for many Latin Americans

By: Matthew Blanton, The University of Texas at Austin, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: December 5, 2025

Words: 1,210

Last Updated: 1 month ago

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By Matthew Blanton, The University of Texas at Austin

In a region known for its tumultuous change, one idea remained remarkably consistent for centuries: Latin America is Catholic.

The region’s 500-year transformation into a Catholic stronghold seemed capped in 2013, when Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected as the first Latin American pope. Once a missionary outpost, Latin America is now the heart of the Catholic Church. It is home to over 575 …

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