Pray for Italy

From Roman law and the Latin language to modern design, Italian culture established foundation stones for Western society. Terraced coastal cliffs, snow-capped Alpine peaks, and preserved ancient towns draw tens of millions of international travelers each year. Italy once served as the heart of Roman civilization before sparking the Renaissance through influential artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. These eras left behind both iconic ancient ruins like the Colosseum and architectural masterworks like the Florence Duomo. Today, the nation remains active on the global stage through diplomatic leadership,  luxury automakers like Ferrari, and agricultural exports ranging from wine to olive oil.

Once the seat of the Roman Empire, Italy consistently ranks among the world’s top ten economies, but its national debt also ranks among the top ten highest. The economy is struggling to grow, and roughly a quarter of young adults are unemployed, causing many to leave the country in search of greater opportunities. Mafia networks control local businesses, public contracts, and regional politics. Beginning in 1992, the Mani Pulite (“Clean Hands”) campaign targeted corrupt political networks, but organized crime is still heavily influential across social and governmental life. Italy also reports high drug use and alcohol consumption. Public attitudes are shifting toward an overall loss of hope.

With deep Catholic roots, Italy is home to the Vatican — the seat of the Catholic Church. The Book of Romans was written to the Church in Rome, which was the center of intense persecution. Today, about 82 percent of the population identifies as Christian, with Roman Catholics making up the vast majority. However, only around 20 percent of Italians actually practice Catholicism, while the majority sees religion as cultural identity rather than personal belief. Small communities and parts of southern Italy have relatively few evangelical congregations, and less than 2 percent of people across the nation are evangelical. Secular materialism and occultism are gaining influence across the nation. For a culture marked by growing spiritual disinterest, Scripture offers the promise of eternal hope.