The Catholic Church in the Cape Verde is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome. The country is divided into two dioceses: Mindelo and Santiago de Cabo Verde.
In 2022, more than 94% of the population of Cape Verde is Christian, with almost 85% being Roman Catholic.[1] Other figures state that 77% of the population is Catholic.[2]
History
The Catholic Church was established by Portuguese traders in 1533 on the island.[3] Diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Cape Verde were established in 1976.[4]
The Diocese of Mindelo was divided from the original Diocese of Santiago in 2003, creating the current configuration of two diocese covering the island country.[3] In 2011, an agreement was signed between the Government of Cape Verde and the Vatican creating a legal foundation for the Catholic Church in the country, allowed for Catholic schools, and a church role in formalizing marriages.[5] On February 14, 2015, Pope Francis made Bishop Arlindo Gomes the first Cardinal from Cape Verde.[3]