Grace Thompson
Despite Catholicism being one of the largest religious groups in the US, only two American presidents have been Catholic: John F. Kennedy and Joe Biden. While in office, Kennedy was the only Catholic president in US history, and Biden is only the second. This is surprising given that one-in-five US adults are Catholic, and the religion has long been one of the nation's largest. While in office, Biden faced criticism from some Catholic leaders for his support of abortion rights, same-sex marriage, and reproductive rights, which go against Catholic teachings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of Catholic presidents | 2 |
| Names of Catholic presidents | John F. Kennedy, Joe Biden |
| Percentage of U.S. adults who are Catholic | One-in-five |
| Religious affiliation of first Catholic president | Roman Catholic |
| Religious affiliation of second Catholic president | Catholic |
| Number of Catholic vice presidents | More than 2 |
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What You'll Learn
John F. Kennedy was the first Catholic president
Kennedy's presidency was a milestone for religious representation in the United States. While the country had seen a diversity of religious affiliations among its leaders, with Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Unitarians, and Baptists all being represented, Catholics had not yet held the nation's highest office. Kennedy's election as the first Catholic president was significant given that Catholicism has long been one of the nation's largest religious groups, with about one-in-five U.S. adults identifying as Catholic.
Despite the historical underrepresentation of Catholics in the presidency, Kennedy was not the only Catholic to seek the nation's highest office. Before him, Al Smith, a Democrat from New York, was the first Catholic to be nominated by a major party when he ran for president in 1928. However, Smith's candidacy faced significant opposition due to his religious beliefs, with some Protestants arguing that his allegiance to the Pope would take precedence over his loyalty to the country. This "Catholic question" became a central issue in the campaign, and Smith ultimately lost the election to Herbert Hoover.
Kennedy's election as the first Catholic president marked a turning point in the country's religious landscape. It signalled a shift towards greater religious diversity and representation in politics, and challenged long-standing biases and obstacles faced by Catholic politicians. Kennedy's victory sent a message that Catholics could not only run for the presidency but also successfully lead the nation.
Since Kennedy, Joe Biden has become the second Catholic president of the United States. Biden's tenure, like Kennedy's, has highlighted the complexities of navigating modern American politics as a Catholic. Both presidents have faced tensions between their personal faith and their political responsibilities, particularly on issues like abortion rights and same-sex marriage, where their stances have diverged from official Catholic teachings. Nonetheless, their presidencies have further cemented the idea that Catholic politicians can occupy the nation's highest office without being solely defined by their religious affiliation.
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Joe Biden is the second Catholic president
Although Catholicism has long been one of the largest religious groups in the United States, only two presidents have been Catholic: John F. Kennedy and Joe Biden. Kennedy was the first Catholic president, and Biden is the second.
Biden was sworn in as president on January 20, 2021, becoming the first Catholic president since Kennedy's assassination in 1963. Biden's inauguration marked a significant moment for Catholics in American politics, who have historically faced obstacles in their pursuit of the presidency.
During his time as vice president, Biden frequently referenced his Catholic faith as a guiding force behind his policy positions. He advocated for issues such as expanding access to healthcare and strengthening workers' rights, which aligned with Catholic social teachings on human dignity and the common good. However, Biden's support for same-sex marriage and reproductive rights created friction with some Catholic leaders, reflecting the complexities of navigating modern American politics as a Catholic.
Biden's presidency further cemented the idea that Catholic politicians can lead the nation without being solely defined by their religious affiliation. His time in office reflects the evolving relationship between faith and governance in American politics. While Catholic presidents remain rare, Catholic vice presidents and other Catholic political figures have played significant roles in shaping the country's leadership and integrating Catholic perspectives into the broader political landscape.
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Catholicism is one of the nation's largest religious groups
Catholicism is one of the largest religious groups in the United States, with about one-in-five U.S. adults identifying as Catholic. In fact, the U.S. has more Catholics than all but three other countries – Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines.
Catholicism is a division of Christianity, which is the largest religion globally. Catholics share many beliefs with other Christians, including the belief that Jesus is the son of God, that he was crucified around 33 CE, and that he rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven. They also believe that the Bible is the word of God and that the Ten Commandments provide a moral and ethical framework for living.
However, Catholicism also holds unique views among Christian denominations. For example, while most Christians view baptism as a symbolic act, Catholics believe that baptism is necessary for salvation as it removes the original sin of Adam and Eve. Additionally, Catholics value praying to deceased saints and the Virgin Mary, whereas other Christians typically pray only to the Holy Trinity.
Despite the significant number of Catholics in the United States, only two American presidents have been Catholic: John F. Kennedy and Joe Biden. Kennedy was the first Catholic president, and Biden, who was sworn in on January 20, 2021, is the second. Aside from Biden, only one other Catholic, John Kerry, has been a presidential nominee on a major party ticket since Kennedy's assassination in 1963.
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Catholic politicians faced obstacles in their pursuit of the presidency
For much of U.S. history, Catholic politicians faced significant obstacles in their pursuit of the presidency. Protestantism was deeply ingrained in American political identity, and concerns over potential Vatican influence made Catholic candidates a rarity at the highest levels of government. Many feared that a Catholic president would be loyal to the Pope and undermine national sovereignty.
This anti-Catholic sentiment was evident in Al Smith's 1928 presidential campaign, where he faced accusations of being more loyal to the Pope than to the American people. Smith was the first Catholic nominee of a major party, and his candidacy was met with widespread opposition, including cross burnings by the Ku Klux Klan. Smith ultimately lost the election by a landslide, demonstrating the challenges Catholic politicians faced in their pursuit of the presidency.
It wasn't until 1960 that John F. Kennedy broke through this religious barrier and became the first Catholic president. His election marked a turning point, proving that a Catholic could hold the highest office without compromising national interests. Kennedy's victory paved the way for future Catholic leaders, including Joe Biden, who became the second Catholic president in 2020.
Despite this progress, Catholic politicians continue to face obstacles related to their religious beliefs. For example, in 2004, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI, instructed American bishops to deny communion to Catholic politicians who supported legal abortion. This created a conflict between those who followed Ratzinger's directive and those who took a more moderate approach, demonstrating the ongoing tensions between religious doctrine and political beliefs.
Overall, while the election of Catholic presidents like Kennedy and Biden has helped to reduce religious prejudices, Catholic politicians still navigate a complex landscape where their faith can be both a guiding force and a point of political debate and controversy.
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Catholic vice presidents have played significant roles
Catholicism has long been one of the largest religious groups in the United States, with about one-fifth of American adults identifying as Catholic. However, for much of U.S. history, Catholic politicians faced significant obstacles in their pursuit of the presidency due to the deep-rooted influence of Protestantism in American political identity and concerns over potential Vatican influence. This religious barrier was broken in 1960 with the election of John F. Kennedy, the first Catholic president. Since then, Catholic leaders have continued to shape American politics, with Joe Biden becoming the second Catholic president in 2020.
Catholic vice presidents have also played significant roles in shaping the country's leadership. Joe Biden became the first Catholic vice president in 2009 under Barack Obama, followed by JD Vance, who took office in 2025 alongside Donald Trump. As vice president, Biden frequently referenced his Catholic faith as a guiding force behind his policy positions, particularly in areas such as healthcare, economic recovery, and social justice. Similarly, Vance has acknowledged the influence of Catholic theology on his sociopolitical stances, such as his opposition to childlessness, abortion, and same-sex marriage.
The increasing number of Catholic politicians at all levels of government indicates that the American electorate is generally comfortable with Catholic candidates, provided they can address the broader concerns of the nation. While Catholicism remains a significant force in American politics, the country is becoming more religiously diverse, with growing numbers of voters identifying as non-religious, evangelical, or belonging to other faith traditions.
In addition to the executive branch, Catholicism has also been well-represented in the U.S. Supreme Court in recent decades. Justices such as John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, and the late Antonin Scalia have played crucial roles in shaping landmark rulings on religious liberty, abortion, and social policy. Their judicial philosophies highlight the complexity of applying Catholic ethics to constitutional law. Catholic voters remain a crucial electoral bloc, often seen as a bellwether in presidential elections, and their voting patterns have evolved over time, reflecting a mix of economic, social, and religious concerns.
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Frequently asked questions
Two: John F. Kennedy and Joe Biden.
Yes, John Kerry was the only Catholic, other than Kennedy and Biden, to be a presidential nominee for a major party since Kennedy's assassination in 1963.
Yes, Catholic politicians have held many key positions in government, including House Speakers like Nancy Pelosi and Paul Ryan.
Biden's presidency has cemented the idea that Catholic politicians can lead without being defined by their religious affiliation. His tenure reflects the evolving relationship between faith and governance in American politics.
No, for much of American history, Catholic politicians faced significant obstacles in their pursuit of the presidency.
