Young people and faith in Italy: between nostalgia for God and the push towards secularisation

In this article, we focus on the data obtained by an international survey on faith and religious experience amongst young people aged between 18–29 years in Italy. This survey was conducted by the Footprints Project and involved researchers from eight countries: Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Kenya, and the Philippines. We will specifically examine the representative sample of young Italians on: the prevalent image of God amongst the youth; which religion is followed most; what values are embraced; the degree of conviction with which people identify themselves as believers or non-believers; whether they pray and, if so, how; if they are Catholic; how they perceive the Catholic Church; their thoughts about the Bible, the Magisterium, tradition of the Church, and the sacraments; and their approach to Catholic doctrine. We will also explore the views of young people on moral issues such as the role of conscience, relationships (such as the effects of pornography and contraception), and social issues (war, the death penalty, political corruption, and pollution).