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• Roman Catholicism is by far the largest religion in the
country, although the Catholic Church is no longer
officially the state religion. The proportion of Italians
that identify themselves as Roman Catholic is 87.8%,
although only about one-third of these described
themselves as active members (36.8%). Most Italians
believe in God, or a form of a spiritual life force.
According to the most recent Eurobarometer Poll 2005:
74% of Italian citizens responded that 'they believe
there is a God', 16% answered that 'they believe there
is some sort of spirit or life force' and 6% answered
that 'they do not believe there is any sort of spirit,
God,or life force
• The Italian Catholic Church is part of the global Roman Catholic
Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope, curia in Rome,
and the Conference of Italian Bishops. In addition to Italy, two other
sovereign nations are included in Italian-based dioceses, San
Marino and Vatican City. There are 225 dioceses in the Italian
Catholic Church.
• The pope resides in the Vatican City, in Rome. Rome, and Italy, have
been major centres for Christian pilgrimage since the Roman
Empire, and Rome is commonly regarded as the "home of the
Roman Catholic Church", since it is where St Peter set up the first
Christian Church[1].
• Owing to the Italian Renaissance, church art in Italy is quite
extraordinary, including the works by Leonardo da Vinci,
Michelangelo, Fra Carnevale (priest and artist), Gian Lorenzo
Bernini, Sandro Botticelli, Tintoretto, Titian, Raphael, Giotto, etc.
• Christianity arrived on the Italian peninsula in the first
century, probably by unknown travellers, traders or
soldiers. Letter to the Romans of Paul the Apostle is
addressed and attests to the presence of Roman Christians
in the first century. Christians in Rome were also in touch
with St. Peter and St. Paul the Apostle both of whom went
to Rome on mission and were eventually martyred there.
One of the first Italian bishops and popes was Clement of
Rome who wrote an Epistle (I CLEMENT) around 96 AD.
• Over its two thousand year history, the Church of Italy grew
in size and influence, producing and/or harbouring
(sometimes before martyrdom) some of the greatest
leaders and movers of Catholic Christianity,
• Freedom of religion in Italy is guaranteed
under the 1947 constitution of the Italian
Republic. Before that religious toleration was
provided for by the constitution of the
Kingdom of Italy which in turn derived from
the Albertine Statute granted to his subjects
by Carlo Alberto of the Kingdom of Sardinia in
1848, the Year of Revolutions.
•
Italy is a prevalently Roman Catholic country, with minorities of Muslims (mostly
from recent immigration) and Jews. Christian Protestants are historically few, due
to a history of persecution and intolerance that has continued until modern times.
A few Protestants, such as two-time Prime Minister Sidney Sonnino, have
distinguished themselves.
•
The 97.67% of Italians are baptized according to the rite of the Catholic Church.
According to a survey of Eurispes 2006,[5] 87.8% of the population declares itself
Catholic and 36.8% practitioner. However a large percentage of Catholics do not
necessarily support all the directions of the Church, as demonstrated by the
referendum about divorce or abortion.
•
The Catholic Church was the State church until it was de facto disestablished with
the 1948 Constitution, then definitely with the 1984 revision of the Lateran Treaty