Per Christum

One of my great interests/hobbies is to visit Catholic churches. One of the reasons why I like visiting churches is because I like church architecture and sacred art. Admittedly, I don’t like all architectural styles. In general, I prefer traditional church architecture over modern architecture.

Another thing I like to do is to travel. Unfortunately, I’m not able to travel much so I have to be content with looking at pictures of churches from around the world.

Anyway, for those interested, I have compiled this list of five metropolitan cathedrals which correspond to the top five nations in terms of the number of Catholics in that country. When I say “metropolitan cathedral”, I’m referring to the chief church of a nation.

1. Brazil ~139 million Catholics

• Name of Cathedral: Cathedral of Salvador (Archdiocese of Salvador)
• Bishopric (Diocese) created in: 1551
• Primate of Brazil: Geraldo Majella Cardinal Agnelo

2. Mexico ~84 million Catholics

• Name of Cathedral: Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary (Archdiocese of Mexico)
• Bishopric (Diocese) created in: September 2, 1530
• Primate of Mexico: Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera

3. Philippines ~72 million Catholics

• Name of Cathedral: Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Archdiocese of Manila)
• Bishopric (Diocese) created in: February 6, 1579
• Primate of the Philippines: Gaudencio Borbón Cardinal Rosales

4. United States of America ~71 million Catholics

• Name of Cathedral: Cathedral of Mary Our Queen (Archdiocese of Baltimore)
• Bishopric (Diocese) created in: November 6, 1789
• Primate of the United States of America: There’s no primate in the USA but the Archdiocese of Baltimore was granted the right of precedence in the nation.
• Bishop of Baltimore: Edwin Frederick O’Brien

5. Italy ~54 million Catholics

Name of Cathedral: Archbasilica of the Most Holy Saviour/Basilica of St. John Lateran (Diocese of Rome)

Bishopric (Diocese) created: When Jesus Christ gave the Key to St. Peter! :)

Primate of Italy: Do it for homework!