More than half of Pennsylvanians confess they never or rarely attend church or religious services.

The big picture: The rest of the country isn't much better. The national average sits at 49%, per a new analysis of Household Pulse Survey data taken between February and March 2024.

By the numbers: Of those who do attend, 13% of residents in the metro area say they went to services 1-3 times a year, 7% attended 4-11 times per year, and 18% went 12 or more times.

Zoom in: More than two-thirds of adults in the Philly metro identify as Christian, 26% Catholic, 3% Jewish and 1% Muslim, while a quarter consider themselves religious "nones," including about 5% who say they're atheist, the Pew Research Center found in 2014.

Zoom out: Vermont (75%), New Hampshire (66%) and Maine (66%) have the highest share of adults who say they never or seldom attend church or religious services.

• Mississippi (32%), Alabama (36%) and Louisiana (37%) have the lowest shares.

State of play: More than three-quarters of Americans say religion's role in public life is shrinking, per a recent Pew survey — the highest level since the group first started tracking such sentiment in 2001.

• Many Americans are unhappy about that, with about half of adults telling Pew both that "religion is losing influence and that this is a bad thing."
• About 57% of adults say that religion has a positive impact on American life, per Pew.

Friction point: Nearly half of U.S. adults say they feel at least "some" tension between their religious beliefs and mainstream culture, Pew found.

• That's up from 42% in 2020.

Yes, and: A separate Gallup survey published this week found that Latter-day Saints are the only religious group wherein a majority say they attend services weekly, at 54%.

• 30% of Protestants reported weekly attendance, compared to 28% of Muslims, 23% of Catholics and 16% of Jews.

The bottom line: Religious service attendance has been dropping for decades, per Gallup, driven largely by "the increase in the percentage of Americans with no religious affiliation — 9% in 2000-2003 versus 21% in 2021-2023."

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Cheers to this: The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's pop-up gardens open today.

Why it matters: For those of us who didn't get enough of the Philadelphia Flower Show, we have another chance to soak up the joy of spring at two locations.

What's happening: Sip on cocktails and order up some grub, including several vegan options, at the Manayunk (106 Jamestown Avenue) and South Street pop-ups, all while your money benefits PHS' greening work in the region.

• Plus: There will be treats and water bowls for our furry friends.

The South Street pop-up is celebrating its 10th anniversary with special $10 cocktails starting in May.

• The bar menus include frozen rainbow-colored drinks and other Philly-inspired favorites, such as a tangy Gritty margarita and a "Woodermelon," a fruity concoction with Tito's vodka, ginger beer and lime.

🎉 New this year: Sports lovers no longer have to sweat missing the action, as televisions were installed at both locations so you can catch the Phils or the Summer Olympics.

If you go:

• Manayunk: Monday-Thursday, 5-10pm; Friday-Saturday, noon-12am; Sunday, 11am-9pm.
• South Street: Monday-Wednesday 5-10pm; Thursday 5-11pm; Friday-Saturday, noon-12am; Sunday, noon-9pm.

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🏈 Former Giants running back Saquon Barkley revealed in a recent "New Heights" podcast episode that fans burned his jerseys and his family received threats after he signed with the NFC East rival Eagles. (Sports Illustrated)

⚖️ A Philadelphia man will spend more than five years in prison for his part in a long-running scheme to steal diesel fuel from Philly-area gas stations.

• Prosecutors say 32-year-old William Cole used stolen credit card data to fill up tanks and resell the fuel at discounted rates. (NBC10)

🏳️‍🌈 Philadelphia canceled an annual transgender visibility event set for March 31 over "logistical concerns," the mayor's office said.

• City Hall still raised the pride flag yesterday and it will remain up over the weekend. (Inquirer 🔒)

Here's what's going on around Philly this weekend:

🎭 Miniball returns to FringeArts in Old City for a weekend of theatrical and musical performances, along with classes, immersive art and Easter egg painting.

• Through Sunday. Tickets sold on a sliding scale.

🎤 Calling all Barbz. Nicki Minaj is on stage at the Wells Fargo Center for her Pink Friday 2 World Tour tonight at 8pm.

• Tickets: $156+

👑 Take in a night of drag and burlesque dedicated to the one and only Madonna at Franky Bradley's in the Gayborhood.

• Tonight at 8pm. Tickets: $15 online, $20 at the door.

🥚 Kids can collect Easter candy along Franklin Square's Hop-a-Long Trail tomorrow from 11am-1pm.

• Registration is required. Only for children 10 and under.

🛍️ Support women entrepreneurs at Cherry Street Pier. Shop women-owned businesses, enjoy music, browse open studios and listen to a panel discussion.

• Tomorrow from noon to 4pm.

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With a mantra of World Series or bust, the Phillies enter this season as one of baseball's hottest tickets.

The big picture: The team's ticket sales are up 80% year over year compared to last season per StubHub's MLB preview.

• MLB sales are up 60% compared to last season.

Between the lines: StubHub credits a spike in international interest, particularly in the Los Angeles Dodgers, which landed Shohei Ohtani in the offseason.

Our thought bubble: The Phillies have been in contention for a World Series ring the last two years, so it makes sense that they're among baseball's top five teams in ticket sales.

What's next: Today's rescheduled season-opener against the Braves is a top ticket seller, per StubHub.

• Don't worry. You can still score tickets.