Italy is home to 60 million people.

While 95% of Italians identify as Catholic, only 5% actively practice their faith.

Less than 1% of Italy’s population are evangelical Christians.

Out of Italy's 34,000 cities and towns, over 31,000 have no evangelical witness. This means that most cities in Italy lack basic resources for spiritual growth, such as Bible studies, accountability groups, prayer groups, or any other opportunities for Christians to grow in God’s grace.

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It has been said that Italy has only one trained evangelical pastor for every 50,000 people. In comparison, the United States has one for every 1,000 people.
 

According to a recent report from the Vatican, Italy has the second-lowest Bible literacy rate in all of Europe.

 

Many people assume that Italy does not need missions because it is considered a Christian nation. But if this is true, we must ask ourselves:

• How well can anyone know God apart from His Word?

• How faithful can someone be to the Lord if they don’t know His Word or will?

• How deeply can someone love God without His Word in their heart?

 

Shockingly, 90% of all long-term missionaries who go to Italy leave within four years, making Italy one of the most challenging mission fields in the world.

 

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. —Matthew 25:35–36