Franco Garelli is professor of sociology of culture and religion in the Political Science Department of the University of Turin in Italy.

Franco Garelli's book makes a powerful statement about the new public role played by religions in the twenty-first century. Challenging the conventional separation between religion and politics, it shows how religion can continue to inspire common values - in the midst of diversity - and personal identity in uncertain times. Its analysis of the new public importance of Catholicism in Italy in an age of growing pluralism is both scholarly and humane. This is a wide-ranging book that will command the attention of social scientists and religious thinkers alike.

• 1 Table of ContentsChapter 2 IntroductionChapter 3 1. Public Ethos and ReligionChapter 4 2. Religious Sentiment in ItalyChapter 5 3. Challenges for the Catholic WorldChapter 6 4. The World Youth DaysChapter 7 5. Youth, Religion, and SexualityChapter 8 6. Crowded Squares and Empty Churches?Chapter 9 7. The Public Importance of Italian CatholicismChapter 10 8. Religious Pluralism in Italy

Franco Garelli is professor of sociology of culture and religion in the Political Science Department of the University of Turin in Italy.

Franco Garelli's book makes a powerful statement about the new public role played by religions in the twenty-first century. Challenging the conventional separation between religion and politics, it shows how religion can continue to inspire common values - in the midst of diversity - and personal identity in uncertain times. Its analysis of the new public importance of Catholicism in Italy in an age of growing pluralism is both scholarly and humane. This is a wide-ranging book that will command the attention of social scientists and religious thinkers alike.

• 1 Table of ContentsChapter 2 IntroductionChapter 3 1. Public Ethos and ReligionChapter 4 2. Religious Sentiment in ItalyChapter 5 3. Challenges for the Catholic WorldChapter 6 4. The World Youth DaysChapter 7 5. Youth, Religion, and SexualityChapter 8 6. Crowded Squares and Empty Churches?Chapter 9 7. The Public Importance of Italian CatholicismChapter 10 8. Religious Pluralism in Italy

Franco Garelli is professor of sociology of culture and religion in the Political Science Department of the University of Turin in Italy.

Franco Garelli's book makes a powerful statement about the new public role played by religions in the twenty-first century. Challenging the conventional separation between religion and politics, it shows how religion can continue to inspire common values - in the midst of diversity - and personal identity in uncertain times. Its analysis of the new public importance of Catholicism in Italy in an age of growing pluralism is both scholarly and humane. This is a wide-ranging book that will command the attention of social scientists and religious thinkers alike.

• 1 Table of ContentsChapter 2 IntroductionChapter 3 1. Public Ethos and ReligionChapter 4 2. Religious Sentiment in ItalyChapter 5 3. Challenges for the Catholic WorldChapter 6 4. The World Youth DaysChapter 7 5. Youth, Religion, and SexualityChapter 8 6. Crowded Squares and Empty Churches?Chapter 9 7. The Public Importance of Italian CatholicismChapter 10 8. Religious Pluralism in Italy