# Chile Religion Explained

> Chile's Catholic majority shrinks as evangelicals grow and a quarter have no faith.
- Title: Chile Religion Explained · The Rio Times | Shortify
- Summary: Chile's Catholic majority shrinks as evangelicals grow and a quarter have no faith. Chile's 2024 census shows 54.0% Catholics, 16.3% evangelicals, and 25.8%…
- Keywords: chile, catholicism, evangelicals, religion, census, 2024, chilean census, no religion, church, state, news, world
- Source: The Rio Times — https://riotimesonline.com/chile-religion-explained-2026
- Author: Contributing Reporter
- Published: 2026-10-19T09:13:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: chile, catholicism, evangelicals, religion, census, 2024, chilean census, no religion, church, state, news, world
## Chile Religion Key Facts
Chile counted 18,480,432 people in its 2024 census. Of those aged 15 or over, 74.2% said they have a religion, down from 91.7% in 2002.
## Catholic Share Declines
Catholics make up 54.0% of adults, or 8,168,978 people, in 2024, down from 70.1% in 2002.
## Evangelical Growth
Evangelicals account for 16.3% of adults, or 2,466,607 people, in 2024, up from 15.2% in 2002.
## No Religion Tripled
No religion affects 25.8% of adults, or 3,903,308 people, in 2024, up from 8.3% in 2002.
## Church and State Separation
Chile has no state religion. Freedom of worship is guaranteed, and religion and the state are officially separate as of 2023.
## Power Index
Chile ranks 3rd of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index with 63.6 points (October 2026 edition).
## Catholic Church in 2026
The Catholic Church has 8,168,978 adults in the 2024 census, down from 70.1% in 2002.
## Cardinal Chomali
Cardinal Fernando Chomali, the Archbishop of Santiago, was named archbishop in October 2023 and elevated to cardinal in October 2024.
## Chomali's Sermon
Chomali called corruption 'the evil of all evils' and described poverty and unemployment as an ethical urgency.

> the evil of all evils
## Church Scandals
Scandals over sexual abuse damaged the church's authority, with 568 victims identified between 1960 and 2023.
## Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV had lung surgery in Rome on 13 October 2026 and left hospital on 17 October.
## Evangelical Growth
Evangelical and Protestant churches are the second-largest group with 16.3% of adults, or 2,466,607 people, in 2024.
## Evangelical Cathedral
The Evangelical Cathedral in Estación Central, Santiago, hosts the yearly evangelical Te Deum.
## Bishop Cancino
Bishop Héctor Cancino spoke of public distrust in authorities and said rebuilding hope is possible.
## National Day of Evangelicals
Chile marks 31 October as the National Day of Evangelical and Protestant Churches under Law 20,299.
## Other Faiths
Jehovah's Witnesses lead with 121,805 adults, followed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with 94,266.
## Baháʼí Temple
The Baháʼí House of Worship for South America in Peñalolén has nine wings of translucent marble from Portugal.
## Indigenous Beliefs
Indigenous Chileans follow a mix of faiths, with many identifying as evangelical Protestant or Catholic.
## Church and State Law
Chile has no state religion, with freedom of worship guaranteed and religion and the state officially separate.
## Religious Holidays
Chile observes eight religious holidays in 2026, including Good Friday on 3 April and the Immaculate Conception on 8 December.
## Key takeaway

Chile's 2024 census shows 54.0% Catholics, 16.3% evangelicals, and 25.8% with no religion.