Language/Italian/Culture/Religion-and-Believes

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Italian Culture - Italian Politics and Society > Religion and Believes

Italian religion and beliefs have a fascinating history that has helped shape the country's culture as we know it today. In this lesson, you will learn about the major religions and beliefs in Italy and their impact on Italian society.

Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: Italian Festivals and Celebrations & Italian Art and Music.

Italian Religious Landscape

Italy is a predominantly Christian country with the Roman Catholic Church being the dominant religion. According to the latest data, around 70% of Italians identify as Catholic while 28% do not affiliate with any religion. The remaining 2% of the population comprises other religions such as Islam, Buddhism, and Judaism.

The presence of Islam in Italy dates back to the 9th century, but the Muslim population remained relatively small until more recently. Today, Islam represents Italy's second-largest religion, with about 1.8 million Muslims living in the country.

Judaism, which has an ancient history in Italy, has been practiced in the country for over 2,200 years. Roughly 30,000 Jews currently live in Italy, most of whom reside in the cities of Rome, Milan, Turin, and Florence.

Apart from these major religions, there is also a growing number of non-denominational spiritual beliefs and practices in Italy, including New Age spirituality, occultism, and alternative medicine.

Catholicism in Italy

The Roman Catholic Church has played a vital role in Italian life and culture for centuries. The Vatican City, the seat of the Pope, is located in Rome, Italy, and has been an integral part of the city since it was established in 1929.

Catholicism has impacted Italian art, literature, and philosophy, and many of Italy's most famous landmarks, such as the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica, are directly linked to the Catholic Church.

In addition, Catholicism has had a significant influence on Italian customs and traditions, from religious festivals to daily life. Holy Week, Easter, and Christmas are celebrated with great fervor throughout the country, and many Italian towns and cities hold annual religious processions and parades.

Other Religions and Beliefs in Italy

Although Catholicism is the dominant religion in Italy, the country has a diverse and interesting religious landscape. Here are some other notable religions and beliefs present in the country:

Islam: As mentioned earlier, Islam is the second largest religion in Italy. Muslims represent a growing and diverse community in the country, and Islam has had an undeniable influence on Italian culture, particularly in the southern regions.

Judaism: Italy has a rich history of Jewish culture and heritage, and many cities have Jewish quarters that date back centuries. Jewish traditions and customs have also influenced Italian culture in areas such as food and language.

Buddhism: While Buddhism is a relatively minor religion in Italy, it has a growing presence in the country. Many Italians are drawn to Buddhism as a philosophy rather than a religion and practice meditation and mindfulness.

New Age Spirituality: New Age spirituality has become increasingly popular in Italy in recent years, with many people drawn to concepts such as energy healing, crystal therapy, and astrology.

Italian Religious Traditions

Religious traditions play an important role in Italian society, and many festivals and customs remain deeply rooted in the country's religious history. Here are some of the most significant traditions that you may encounter on a visit to Italy:

Christmas: Christmas is celebrated throughout Italy with traditional decorations, music, and food. Most towns and cities have a presepe, a Nativity scene made from terracotta or other materials, and many have life-sized representations of the scene.

Easter: Easter is one of the most important religious holidays in Italy, and many towns and cities hold elaborate processions featuring life-sized statues of Jesus and the saints.

Carnival: Carnival is a festive season that takes place in the weeks leading up to Lent. Many Italian cities hold lively parades and festivals during this time, and participants often wear elaborate costumes and masks.

All Saints' Day: All Saints' Day is a national holiday in Italy and is celebrated on November 1st. It is a day when families remember their loved ones who have passed away and visit cemeteries to decorate graves.

Vocabulary

Here are some Italian words and expressions related to religion and beliefs:

Italian	Pronunciation	English
la religione	lah reh-lee-jo-nay	religion
la chiesa	lah kee-eh-sah	church
il prete	eel preh-teh	priest
il vescovo	eel vess-koh-voh	bishop
il papa	eel pah-pah	Pope
il monaco	eel moh-nah-koh	monk
il frate	eel frah-teh	friar
la messa	lah meh-sah	Mass
la Bibbia	lah Bee-bee-ah	Bible
la preghiera	lah preh-gee-eh-rah	prayer
l'islam	lees-lahm	Islam
il musulmano	eel moo-sool-mah-noh	Muslim
l'ebraismo	leh-bra-ees-moh	Judaism
l'ebreo	leh-breh-oh	Jew
il buddismo	eel bood-diz-moh	Buddhism
il buddista	eel bood-dee-stah	Buddhist
la spiritualità	lah spee-ree-too-ah-lee-tah	spirituality

Additional Resources

Sources

Table of Contents - Italian Course - 0 to A1

Course Presentation

Introduction to Italian Language

Daily Life Expressions

Italian Culture and Tradition

Past and Future Tenses

Social and Work Life

Italian Literature and Cinema

Subjunctive and Imperative Moods

Science and Technology

Italian Politics and Society

Compound Tenses

Arts and Design

Italian Language and Dialects

Other Lessons

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