Africa now has more Catholics than Europe, the Vatican said on Friday, releasing the latest Church statistics compiled by its news agency.

Africa had 288 million Catholics as of June 2024, just ahead of Europe’s 287 million. Africa accounts for 20.3% of the world’s Catholics and Europe 20.2%. A year earlier, Europe was ahead, at 20.4% against about 20% for Africa. Europe’s share of the global total has been gradually declining.

The Americas remain home to the largest share, at 47.7%, followed by Asia on 11% and Oceania on 0.8%.

Worldwide there were 1.422 billion Catholics, 17.8% of the global population, up from 1.405 billion in the previous report. Africa saw the biggest growth, adding 7.58 million Catholics.

The figures also brought some good news for the clergy. The Vatican’s missionary news agency, Fides counted 407,421 priests, 425 more than before and the first increase in five years. There are 5,525 bishops worldwide.

The data covers the period to the end of June 2024.