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How did the Counter-Reformation help Roman Catholicism become a global religion?

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Title page of a 1568 Welsh Christian doctrine book by Morys Clynnog, featuring Welsh text and a woodcut illustration of the crucifixion of Jesus at the center. — Counter-Reformation Title page of *Athravaeth Gristnogavl* (1568; “Christian Doctrine”), a Roman Catholic catechism translated into Welsh by Morys Clynnog as part of the church's Counter-Reformation efforts.

The Counter-Reformation was a pivotal movement of internal renewal and reform within the Roman Catholic Church that helped transform it into a global religion by expanding its reach beyond Europe.12

This expansion was driven by several key factors:

Missionary Zeal: As the church sought to regain territory and influence lost to the Protestant Reformation, religious orders—most notably the Jesuits—became the leading force in the Christianization of newly discovered lands in the Western Hemisphere, Asia, and the Pacific Islands.34
Colonial Support: European powers like Spain and Portugal integrated missionary work into their colonial expansion. Clergy accompanied expeditions to the New World, where they established missions and schools to convert indigenous populations.156
Institutional Education: The Jesuits established hundreds of colleges and universities, which served to solidify Catholic doctrine and maintain the church's relevance in diverse societies.13

By coupling these missionary efforts with a rigorous internal reform of church life and teaching, the Counter-Reformation ensured that Roman Catholicism remained a dynamic, expanding force on a global scale.14