Joshua Bennett
Catholicism has long been one of the largest religious groups in the United States, with about one-fifth of US adults identifying as Catholic. However, only two Catholic candidates, John F. Kennedy and Joe Biden, have ever been elected President of the United States. In 1928, Al Smith became the first Catholic to gain a major party's nomination for president, but his religion became an issue during the campaign and contributed to his loss. Since Kennedy's groundbreaking win in 1960, dozens of Catholics have run for president, with Biden becoming the second Catholic president in 2020.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of Catholic presidents in the US | 2 |
| Names of Catholic presidents | John F. Kennedy, Joe Biden |
| First Catholic president | John F. Kennedy |
| Second Catholic president | Joe Biden |
| Year of the first Catholic president's win | 1960 |
| Year of the second Catholic president's win | 2020 |
| First Catholic candidate for president | Al Smith |
| Year when the first Catholic candidate was nominated | 1928 |
| Total number of Catholic vice presidents in the US | 2 |
| Names of Catholic vice presidents | Joe Biden, JD Vance |
| First Catholic vice president | Joe Biden |
| First Lady with Catholic beliefs | Jacqueline Kennedy |
| Other Catholic politicians | Paul Ryan, Steve Scalise, Mike Pence, Sarah Palin, Tim Walz, James Farley, Marco Rubio, Edmund Muskie, Alexander Haig, John Kerry, John J. Sullivan, James G. Blaine, James F. Byrnes |
| Number of Catholics in the US Senate | 27 |
| Number of Catholics in the US House of Representatives | 122 |
| Percentage of Catholics in the US population | 20% |
| Number of Catholics in the US House of Representatives as of January 2023 | 122 out of 435 |
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What You'll Learn
John F. Kennedy was the first Catholic president
Kennedy's election marked a pivotal moment in American political history, as he was the first Catholic to lead the country. This achievement was particularly notable given the historical context and the religious landscape of the nation at the time.
Catholics have long been a significant religious group in the United States, yet Kennedy's election was a breakthrough in terms of religious representation in the highest office. It is worth noting that Kennedy's predecessor, Dwight D. Eisenhower, was a Presbyterian, and Eisenhower's religious background reflected a more common denominational affiliation among presidents up to that point.
The election of John F. Kennedy as the first Catholic president was a significant step towards greater religious diversity in the White House. Since Kennedy, Joe Biden has become the second Catholic president, and there have been several Catholic vice presidents and presidential nominees.
The role of Catholics in American politics has evolved over time. Since Kennedy's election, there has been a notable increase in Catholic political representation. This is evident in the number of Catholic candidates and elected officials at various levels of government, including the Senate and the House of Representatives.
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Joe Biden is the second Catholic president
The role of Catholics in American elections and culture has evolved significantly over the years, particularly following the mass immigration of Catholics from Europe in the 19th century. This shift in demographics led to a notable change in voting behaviour, with Catholic immigrants often joining local Catholic churches and communities.
Historically, the majority of US presidents have been Christians, with a significant number of Episcopalians and Presbyterians, as well as other Protestant denominations. While Biden is only the second Catholic president, there have been several Catholic vice presidents and presidential candidates. John Kerry, the Democratic nominee in 2004, was Catholic, as was his running mate, John Edwards. In 2012, both major party vice-presidential candidates, Joe Biden and Paul Ryan, were Catholic.
The Catholic Church in the US has a complex relationship with politics, with varying degrees of engagement and influence. While Catholic voters have diverse political opinions, their votes can be influenced by the Church's stance on specific issues, such as abortion.
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Catholic voters' political diversity
Catholicism has long been one of the largest religious groups in the United States, with about one-fifth of US adults identifying as Catholic. However, John F. Kennedy was the only Catholic president until Joe Biden was sworn in as the second Catholic president in 2021. Since Kennedy's groundbreaking win in 1960, there have been dozens of Catholic candidates for president.
Despite the prevalence of Catholic candidates, Catholic voters in the United States exhibit a diverse range of political opinions. In recent presidential elections, Catholic voters have swung back and forth between Republican and Democratic candidates. For example, in 2016, 52% of Catholics backed Republican Donald Trump, while 44% voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton. In 2008, Catholics chose Democrat Barack Obama over Republican John McCain. Catholic voters are not a monolithic bloc, and their voting decisions are influenced by a variety of factors beyond religious affiliation.
The political diversity of Catholic voters is further illustrated by the fact that having a Catholic candidate on a party ticket does not guarantee support from Catholic voters. For instance, in the 2004 election, Catholic candidate John Kerry lost to incumbent George W. Bush, who won the majority of the Catholic vote. Similarly, in 2020, Catholic voters were closely divided between former President Donald Trump and his challenger, Joe Biden, with surveys indicating a nearly equal split in support.
The political leanings of Catholic voters are influenced by various factors, including race and ethnicity. White and Hispanic Catholics, in particular, differ significantly in their political orientations. White Catholic registered voters tend to identify with or lean toward the Republican Party, whereas Hispanic Catholic registered voters have shown stronger support for Democratic candidates. For instance, in the 2016 presidential election, 64% of White Catholics voted for Trump, while 78% of Hispanic Catholics voted for Clinton.
While the Catholic Church has taken clear stances on certain issues, Catholic voters do not always align their political views with the teachings of the Church. Many Catholic voters prioritize the separation of church and state and believe that religious organizations should refrain from political endorsements. Instead, Catholic voters negotiate a balance between their religious beliefs and their other values when making voting decisions. This balance is particularly evident in issues such as legalized abortion, where Catholic voters may diverge from the official position of the Catholic Church.
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Catholic voters' influence
Catholics have been a significant religious group in the United States since the mid-19th century, when mass immigration from traditionally Catholic regions of Europe, especially Ireland and Germany, brought hundreds of thousands of Catholics to the country. By 1840, there were about 600,000 Catholics in the United States, and this number had doubled by the 1860s. This influx of Catholics had a profound impact on American culture and elections, with politicians actively courting Catholic votes.
In recent years, Catholic voters in the United States have been split between the two major political parties, with a slight lean towards the Republicans. In the 2016 presidential election, 52% of Catholics backed Republican Donald Trump, while 44% voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton. A similar pattern emerged in the 2020 election, with 59% of White Catholic registered voters supporting Trump, while 65% of Hispanic Catholic registered voters chose Democrat Joe Biden.
The political views of Catholic voters in the United States are diverse and not solely dictated by the Catholic Church's teachings. While the Church has taken clear stances on issues such as abortion and immigration, Catholic voters hold a wide range of opinions on these topics. For example, in 2009, a Gallup survey found no significant difference between the opinions of Catholics and non-Catholics on abortion and embryonic stem cell research. Additionally, only 14% of Catholics consider it very important to have a president who shares their religious beliefs, while 62% believe that churches and other religious organizations should refrain from endorsing political candidates.
Despite the diversity of political opinions among Catholic voters, their influence on US politics cannot be understated. Catholics make up about one-fifth of the US population, and their votes can swing back and forth between parties. As such, both major parties have actively courted the Catholic vote, and Catholic organizations have published voter guides to inform Catholics about their political choices.
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Candidates' Catholic faith as a campaign theme
The role of Catholicism in American elections has been significant, with a shift in voting behaviour among Catholics. While former Catholics tend to support progressive candidates, White Catholics lean towards the Republican Party, and Hispanic Catholics are more likely to vote Democratic.
Historically, candidates did not seek Catholic votes until Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay did so in 1832. The mass immigration of Catholics from Europe, especially Ireland and Germany, increased their influence in elections. By 1840, there were about 600,000 Catholics in the United States, and this number grew significantly due to the Great Famine in Ireland from 1845 to 1852.
In 1928, Al Smith became the first Roman Catholic to gain a major party's nomination for president. His religion became a campaign issue, with concerns about his loyalty to the pope and the constitution. Smith's Catholicism was a factor in his loss, and he was criticised for his stance on Prohibition and faced stereotypes about Irish Catholics.
Since John F. Kennedy, the first Catholic president, there have been several Catholic presidential candidates, including Joe Biden, the second Catholic president. In 2004, John Kerry became the first Catholic to be a major party's presidential nominee since Kennedy. Joe Biden, the current president, was the Democratic vice-presidential nominee in 2008 and became the first Catholic vice president. In 2012, both major party vice-presidential candidates, Joe Biden and Paul Ryan, were Catholic.
Catholics have diverse political opinions, and their voting behaviour is influenced by various factors beyond religious affiliation. However, candidates' religious beliefs can still be a campaign theme, as seen with Biden's open discussions about his faith during his campaign.
In the 2024 election, Catholic voters are expected to play a pivotal role in swing states like Pennsylvania. While they have been closely divided in recent elections, voting patterns among White and Hispanic Catholics differ significantly. White Catholics tend to support Republican candidates like Donald Trump, while Hispanic Catholics favour Democrats like Biden.
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Frequently asked questions
There have been two Catholic presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy and Joe Biden.
There have been two Catholic vice presidents: Joe Biden and JD Vance.
Yes, two first ladies have been professed Catholics: Jacqueline Kennedy and Melania Trump.
Joe Biden is joining the dozens of Catholics who have run for president since John F. Kennedy.
As of January 2023, there are 27 Catholics in the US Senate and 122 in the House of Representatives.
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