“Italy will live by faith!”
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”(Romans 1:17,NIV)
》 Country Profile
Continent | Europe
Population | 61.1 million
Area | 301,340㎢, Located on the Italian Peninsula in southern Europe.
Capital City | Rome (4.3 million)
People Groups | Total 105 Groups, Italian 53.4%, Calabrian 8.9%, Sicilian 7.3%, Venetian 5.9%, Lombard 5.4%, Emilian 3.5%, Arab 2%
Unreached People Groups | 23 (3.5% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Italian
Total Languages | 88
Bible Translations | Completed 57, New Testament 11, Partial 14
Religion | Christianity 81.3% (Protestant 1.5%, Catholic 75%), Non-religious 14.3%, Muslim 3.7%, Evangelical 1.5% (910,000 people)
》 About Italy
Italy was divided after the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century and was unified by the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1861. After World War I, Mussolini established a fascist regime, and with Hitler, led the country into World War II through imperialism and racism. After losing the war, fascism collapsed, and Italy became a democratic republic in 1946. Italy has greatly influenced the world in law (Roman law), language (Latin), Renaissance arts, music, fashion, and automotive innovation. It holds the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world and is known as a global center of art and culture. The country has a parliamentary system, with Sergio Mattarella as president (since 2015) and Giorgia Meloni as prime minister (since 2022).
Economically, Italy is a developed country with a well-balanced mix of agriculture, industry, and services. It is a member of the OECD and the G7. The northern region has strong, privately-led industry, while the southern region still struggles with unemployment and underdevelopment, relying heavily on agriculture and subsidies. Italy has a large informal economy, estimated at around 17% of GDP. Public debt has steadily increased since 2007, reaching 131% of GDP by 2017. In 2019, the unemployment rate was 9.8%, while youth unemployment was high at 29.4%. Ongoing challenges include slow economic growth, high youth and female unemployment, organized crime, corruption, and economic inequality between the north and south. Italy’s GDP per capita is approximately $39,000.
》 Scripture Focus
| Romans 1:11–17(NIV) 11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. 14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” |
》 Prayer Points
1. Italy was officially Catholic until 1984, and even today, 75% of the population identifies as Catholic. But many churches have lost their vitality and remain stuck in tradition. Protestants are a small minority, with the Waldensian Church at the center, which has a long history of persecution. Charismatic churches are growing but are often small and divided. Still, networks like the Evangelical Alliance are working to build unity. Evangelism through cell churches, house churches, and campaigns like “Christ is the Answer” is active across the country. Let us pray that the church will be renewed by the gospel and that true disciples will rise up to share the life-giving message of Christ, as Paul once prayed.
2. Many foreign missionaries leave Italy due to opposition and lack of visible fruit. Let us pray that missionaries would work alongside local believers, helping them evangelize and grow. The Italian church is still in the early stages of engaging in overseas missions, and it rarely sends out long-term missionaries. However, organizations like Compassion, OM, NTM, WEC, and YWAM are supporting many kinds of projects. Let us pray that through the power of the cross, these ministries will boldly spread the gospel both in Italy and abroad.
3. Italy has over 5 million immigrants and refugees, mostly from the Middle East and Africa. The involvement of criminal groups makes the situation harder, and EU countries are unwilling to take in more refugees. However, since many of them are Muslim, this opens a unique mission opportunity. There are 1.85 million university students across Italy, with 170,000 in Milan alone who have not heard the gospel. Ministries like GBU, Agape, and Great Commission Ministries are focused on student outreach. Let us pray that churches would recognize that they are debtors both to the wise and to the foolish, and that they may bear fruit among the nations by faithfully praying and proclaiming the gospel. Let us also intercede that everyone who hears the gospel may receive salvation, so that the word, “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith,’” may be fulfilled in their lives.
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