The representative of His Holiness, Pope Francis, to the Philippines was pleased to know that the country had the largest number of baptized Catholics in 2020.

Newsroom (26/04/2022 2:30 PM, Gaudium Press) According to Archbishop Charles John Brown, Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, the Christian faith has continued to shape the spiritual formation of the faithful in the last five centuries.

“I am glad to share that the Philippines has the highest number of baptisms in 2020 compared to other places in the world. A living testament of faith in the 500 years of Catholicism in the country,” Archbishop Brown told Radio Veritas.

From the data gathered by the Apostolic Nunciature from the Statistical Yearbook of the Church 2020 (most recent edition), the Philippines recorded 1,603,283 baptized. Archbishop Brown shared the said data as the Catholic Church celebrated Easter Sunday last April 17, 2022.

The Papal Nuncio said this is a great blessing for Filipinos who strive to share and express their faith in the communities they belong to despite the various challenges they encounter during the surge of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to statistics, the Philippines is followed by Mexico with 1,537,710; Brazil with 1,126,152 while 1,533,666 in Europe, combining nearly 50 countries.

In his message at the 500th YOC celebrations, Pope Francis thanked the Filipinos for being ‘smugglers of faith’ in various parts of the world through the Overseas Filipino Workers.

The Holy Father has extended the granting of plenary indulgence in the Philippines until December 31, 2022, in gratitude for the 500 Years of Christian faith.

(Via The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila)

Compiled by Raju Hasmukh