A pastor associated with former U.S. President Donald Trump said the growth of evangelical churches in Madrid is rapid [1].
The surge represents a shifting religious landscape in Spain, where traditional Catholicism is facing new competition from evangelical movements and populist religious trends [1, 2].
Speaking in Madrid days before a scheduled visit by the Pope, the pastor said registered places of worship are expanding [1]. Data indicates there were 4,763 registered evangelical places of worship in Spain in 2025 [1].
This growth is largely attributed to immigration from Latin America [1, 2]. The pastor also said large-scale gatherings, such as the Festival of Hope, are evidence of the movement's increasing influence in the region [1].
The rise of these churches coincides with a broader religious dimension appearing in contemporary populist politics [2]. This trend links spiritual growth with political movements that emphasize traditional values, and national identity.
While the Catholic Church remains the dominant religious institution in Spain, the scale of the evangelical increase is becoming more visible in urban centers like Madrid [1]. The timing of these observations precedes the arrival of the Pope, highlighting a potential tension or contrast between the established hierarchy and the rising evangelical tide [1].
“There were 4,763 registered evangelical places of worship in Spain in 2025.”
The expansion of evangelicalism in Spain reflects a global trend where Latin American migration and populist political frameworks are altering the religious demographics of traditionally Catholic nations. This shift suggests that the influence of U.S.-style evangelicalism is finding a foothold in Europe, potentially creating new alliances between religious leaders and populist political movements.
