Catholics increase worldwide as number of priests edges upward — Live Feedhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/catholics-increase-worldwide-as-number-of-priests-edges-upwardContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. Global Catholic Population Reaches 1.422 Billion As Priests Risehttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/catholics-increase-worldwide-as-number-of-priests-edges-upwardhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/catholics-increase-worldwide-as-number-of-priests-edges-upward#u139412Tue, 20 Oct 2026 10:20:13 +0000The global Catholic population has increased to 1.422 billion, with growth recorded across every continent, according to the Vatican's Fides news agency releasing the 2026 Church Statistics report ahead of World Mission Sunday. Catholics in Africa have now surpassed those in Europe. Meanwhile, the worldwide number of Catholic priests has risen for the first time in five years, increasing by 425 to reach a total of 407,421. However, the report also notes ongoing declines in other areas of pastoral personnel, specifically recording fewer religious sisters and major seminarians globally.Why