Google searches on becoming Catholic surged in week Pope died

Pope Francis appeared in public in Rome on April 20 to bless the Easter crowds, and then died on April 21. The data, by Vatican Tickets and Tours, reveals that searches for how to become Catholic increased by more than three times, which they say is “unprecedented”.

Magdalena Petrusic, travel expert at Vatican Tickets and Tours, said: “Pope Francis was loved and respected throughout the world, and his influence is shown clearly in the increasing number of people researching the Catholic faith at the time of his final public appearance and death.

“Among many things, Pope Francis was known for his commitment to peace, harmony between nations, calling for an end to war and working to care for the earth that is our home.”

Interest in the Catholic faith and the Church worldwide was expected to grow still further as the College of Cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel to begin the process to elect a successor to Pope Francis.

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Huge increase in searches for ‘how to become a Catholic’ following death of Pope Francis (By Ruth Gledhill/The Tablet)