History of Christianity
Present in Italy for more than 2,000 years, Christianity was preceded by forms of animism and polytheism comparable to what was practiced in ancient Greece. The Republic and then the Roman Empire always assured the people of religious tolerance, as long as the divinity of the Emperor was not contested. After the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth, his apostles traveled throughout the colonized lands to spread Christian doctrine. Within a decade, despite persecution, underground Christianity succeeded in converting many people, Jews from Palestine, many slaves and women. In 313, the Edict of Milan authorized it as a legal religious practice and in 380, Christianity was proclaimed the state religion. In the Middle Ages, the first Roman popes, who were the spiritual leaders of all Christians, sat at the head of influential Papal States.
In 1517, the German theologian monk, Martin Luther, scandalized by the indulgence trade, wrote 95 theses of protest. These texts are at the origin of the Protestant Reformation, which creates a schism and changes the face of Christianity. In Europe, where the wars of religion were raging, Italy remained throughout the centuries the bastion of Catholicism. Finally, in 1870, the popes gave up their political prerogatives.
The Vatican, the smallest state in the world
In 1929, the Lateran Accords, signed by Mussolini, recognized the Vatican City in Rome as an independent and sovereign state. Today, the Holy See "speaks" to more than a billion Catholics around the world. In Italy, the Christian community numbers about 43.2 million people, with the Catholic Church in the majority: 79% believers, of whom about 25% say they practice. They were 33% in 2014.
Although the separation of church and state was established, Catholicism retained political influence until the 1960s. In 1984, a concordat definitively put an end to this pre-eminent position. The Italian constitution now guarantees the right to religious freedom, prohibits blasphemy against religions and attacks on the dignity of the pope.
The Catholic Church also enjoys social and financial benefits. Other religious groups can benefit, in exchange for government oversight.
In 2013, as the clergy was rocked by sex abuse scandals, the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI was announced, officially for health reasons. It is Pope Francis, of Argentinean origin, who accedes to the papacy. His papal namesake is borrowed from Saint Francis of Assisi. The "Pope of the Poor" expresses a concern for humility and social welfare appreciated by Catholics. The pontiff is also interested in interfaith conversations, moral and liberal work values, and the feminization of positions. But he is not a reformer! On many social issues (abortion, contraception, women's ordination, gay marriage, etc.), Pope Francis remains on the conservative line. On ethical issues, the voice of the Church can still be authoritative in Italy, but in the family structure, it is losing its influence, especially on the decisions of the couple (birth rate, separation, divorce).
Religious minorities
Among non-Catholic Christians, there are various denominations: Orthodox, mainly from Eastern European countries; Protestants, including a robust Baptist Protestantism in Asian and African communities; Pentecostals; Jehovah's Witnesses; and Mormons.
Irreligion is not uncommon, but 15% of the population is irreligious, and this is found in the form of atheism and agnosticism. This percentage is increasing every year, and Italian atheists are seeking to promote secularism in government and in public schools, where the weekly hour of Catholic religion instruction still exists, even though it is no longer mandatory.
Members of religious minorities other than Christianity account for about 10.2 per cent of the Italian population. Because of its geographical proximity to the south of the boot, Islam has a significant presence in this percentage (3.7%). After their expulsion in the early fourteenth century, Muslims had practically disappeared from Italy until immigration resumed in the twentieth century. Albanians, Turks, North Africans, Middle Easterners, Africans, these faithful are mostly Sunni. To practice their religion, only a handful of mosques are approved by the state. As a result, undeclared places of worship, known as "garage Islam", number in the hundreds. Denouncing the "Islamization" of Europe, the far right in power is not expected to change the situation.
On the other hand, in 2012, Hinduism and Buddhism officially obtained their status of recognition.
As for the Jewish community, which is mainly present in northern Italy, Rome and Milan, it is said to have more than 30,000 members. The Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, has insisted on the "essential importance" of this community for her country, deeming it necessary to fight against all forms of anti-Semitism. Beautiful historical synagogues can be visited in Siena, Trieste or Casale Monferrato, north of Genoa, where an interesting museum evokes the Hebrew religion.
The three major religious holidays, Easter, August 15 (Ferragosto) and Christmas, are well attended. Every year in Italy, the staging of the "crib", the scene of the birth of the baby Jesus, reaches a peak. Cribs with classical figures, art cribs and popular traditions, live cribs, mechanical or carved in ice, wood, kaolin, each region has its own way. Then, on the day of the Epiphany, the witch Befana is out! She leaves in search of the Baby Jesus. This folkloric puppet stops at every house and gives gifts and sweets to the good children. This tradition is still alive and well in rural areas. In addition to special celebrations (baptisms, communions, confirmations, funerals, etc.), the patronal feasts are important. Each city has a holiday dedicated to the "Patrono", the local saint, who is honored. For example, in Milan, San Ambrogio (December 7), in Bologna, San Petronio (October 4) or in Verona, San Zeno (May 21). The program includes mass, processions and a shared meal.
