Gen Z appears to be shifting towards spirituality. It’s interesting—about two-thirds of young people now identify as either spiritual or religious, and quite a few believe in a higher power. Their engagement with church activities and prayer seems to be turning the tide against a broader societal drift toward secularism.
At the same time, many in Gen Z also express beliefs in the supernatural, claiming to have experienced miracles in their lives.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. There’s still a significant journey ahead before faith and spirituality can effectively shield young people from the pitfalls of enlightenment and cultural voids. Social media, for instance, often exploits insecurities, leading to issues like anxiety, depression, and body image concerns.
Gen Z’s affinity for the Bible sparks an unexpected global spiritual awakening
I think it’s crucial to encourage a movement towards faith and spirituality. Places of worship like churches and synagogues can provide genuine community and personal connections, in stark contrast to social media and gaming environments, which often feel more like depersonalized virtual realities.
However, it’s worth noting that these realms don’t necessarily have to be at odds with each other. A poignant example is a teenage boy who, despite his tragic end, shared an important lesson with the world.
In 2025, Carlo Acutis, recognized as the first millennium saint and known as the patron saint of the internet, was canonized. He was a gifted computer programmer who, during his life, created a website cataloging miraculous Eucharistic events globally. Sadly, he passed away from leukemia at just 15, but he devoted his enduring pain to support others battling the illness, stating his mission was “for the Lord, for the Pope, and for the Church.”
After his passing, two significant miracles were attributed to him. The first involved a young Brazilian boy named Mateus, who had a severe pancreatic issue that made eating almost impossible. After being given Acutis’ relics, he miraculously started eating normally, and later tests confirmed that his pancreas had returned to normal function.
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The second miracle took place in 2023, when an Italian student named Valeria suffered a brain hemorrhage after a bicycle accident. Following her emergency surgery, her mother visited Acutis’ tomb in Assisi and prayed for her daughter’s recovery. Remarkably, after a few days, Valeria began breathing independently and made a swift recovery. This led to Acutis being canonized as a saint by Pope Leo IV in September 2025.
Saint Acutis stands as a symbol for many young people turning toward religion. He managed to blend his tech-savvy skills with a deep connection to God, all while enjoying video games and the internet. Back when he was alive, social media was just starting to emerge, and many young people today see parallels between their own lives and Acutis’ online journey, finding inspiration to pursue their spirituality while navigating the digital age. He really showed a way to harmonize both realms, and perhaps that can encourage others to do the same.
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Ultimately, though, families play a pivotal role in rekindling faith within a divided society. Research indicates that 57% of baby boomers went to church with their families during childhood, while only about 40% of Gen Zers can say the same. Moreover, 61% of baby boomers received religious education, versus just 42% of Gen Z.
Highlighting the importance of community, family, and faith while children are still impressionable will help them select pathways of spiritual growth, enabling them to connect with a reality that’s much larger than just their six-inch screens.
