‘Francis effect’ pulls crowds back to church
George Arbuthnott and Luke Garratt Published: 17 November 2013
POPE FRANCIS has inspired a surge in attendances and confessions in the Roman Catholic Church, reversing decades of decline.
In the eight months since he was chosen, cathedrals in Britain have seen a rise of about 20% in congregations, drawing in both new and lapsed members.
More than half of the priests surveyed in Italy said there had been a rise in support for the church. In Spain, the church has halted a decade-long slump in attendance.
https://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/Society/article1341650.ece