Latin America is home to the largest Catholic population in the world—more than 25% of all Catholics globally live on this continent. Here, faith has shaped not only spiritual life but also cities' cultural, social, and urban fabric. Since the first temples, built during European colonization, the architecture of Catholic churches in the region has undergone profound transformations. The once-imposing features of colonial Baroque and richly ornamented façades have gradually given way to bolder, more contemporary expressions that reflect local realities, a search for identity, and a spirit of architectural experimentation.
Today, churches are being designed not only as spaces for worship but also as cultural and architectural landmarks. This shift is largely influenced by religious buildings from other traditions, which have challenged conventional expressions of faith and inspired new ways of relating architecture to the spiritual experience of the faithful.
