Rachel Evans
As of 2025, there have been two Catholic vice presidents in the United States: Joe Biden and JD Vance. Biden became the first Catholic vice president when he was elected in 2008. Vance, who assumed office in 2025, converted to Catholicism in 2019 and has acknowledged the influence of Catholic theology on his sociopolitical positions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Catholic Vice Presidents | 2 |
| Names of Catholic Vice Presidents | Joe Biden, JD Vance |
| Year of the First Catholic Vice President | 2008 |
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What You'll Learn
Joe Biden was the first Catholic US Vice President
Joe Biden was the first Catholic Vice President of the United States, serving from 2008 onwards. He later became the second Catholic president in 2020.
Biden's faith was well-known, and he often spoke about his religion. Despite this, some members of the public viewed him negatively. Historically, Catholicism was viewed with suspicion in American politics. The United States, founded on Protestant principles, saw waves of anti-Catholic sentiment throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. Many feared that a Catholic president would be beholden to the Pope, undermining national sovereignty.
However, Biden's election as vice president, and later as president, reflected the evolving role of Catholicism in the White House. It showed that religious affiliation was no longer a major barrier to political success. As of January 2023, there were 27 Catholics in the United States Senate and 122 in the House of Representatives, demonstrating the increasing integration of Catholic perspectives into the broader political landscape.
Biden's influence as a Catholic leader in the executive branch set a precedent for future Catholic politicians. His successor, Mike Pence, was raised Catholic but later converted to evangelical Protestantism. The current Vice President, JD Vance, is also Catholic, having converted to Catholicism in 2019.
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Religious tensions in the 1928 election
The 1928 United States presidential election was held on November 6, 1928, and it was a pivotal election that significantly impacted the political landscape of that era. The election was contested between the Republican ticket of Herbert Hoover and Senator Charles Curtis, and the Democratic ticket of New York Governor Al Smith and Senator Joseph T. Robinson. Smith was the first Roman Catholic to gain a major party's nomination for president, and his religion became a central issue during the campaign.
The election was marked by strong anti-Catholic sentiments, with many Protestants fearing that Smith, as a Catholic, would take orders from the Vatican in making decisions affecting the country. This religious tension was the sole defining issue of the election, radically reshaping states' voting patterns. Despite Smith's dynamic and effervescent public speaking style, which far outshone Hoover's drab and monotone delivery, the election was a significant victory for the Republicans, with Hoover securing 444 electoral votes to Smith's 87.
Smith's opposition to Prohibition, a key reform promoted by Protestants, also lost him votes, as it provided a cover for anti-Catholics to disguise their religious prejudices. Scott Farris notes that anti-Catholicism was the sole reason behind Smith's defeat, with contemporary Prohibition activists admitting that their main problem with Smith was his faith, not his political views. This is exemplified by a quote from Bob Jones Sr., a prominent Protestant pastor in South Carolina, who said:
> "I'd rather see a saloon on every corner of the South than see the foreigners elect Al Smith president."
The 1928 election opened up discussions about religious identity in politics and set a precedent for future elections. It demonstrated that religious affiliation could be a significant factor in an election and influenced perceptions that would resonate in subsequent political contests.
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Anti-Catholic sentiment in the US
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the United States, founded on Protestant principles, saw waves of anti-Catholic sentiment. Many feared that a Catholic president would be unduly influenced by the Pope, compromising national sovereignty. This led to incidents such as the 1844 riots in Philadelphia involving anti-Catholic "Native Americans". The growth of the Ku Klux Klan in the early 20th century further fuelled anti-Catholic attacks, with prominent figures like Hugo Black, a KKK member and US senator, delivering fiery anti-Catholic speeches.
Mark Twain, for instance, noted that he was “educated to enmity toward everything that is Catholic”. The Catholic Church's teachings on human sexuality, contraception, abortion, and LGBT rights have also been points of contention, drawing criticism and protest from LGBT activists and others.
While anti-Catholic sentiment in the US has diminished over time, it has not disappeared entirely. FBI statistics show that anti-Catholic hate crimes have risen in recent years, with an annual increase since 2013. Despite this, the increasing number of Catholic politicians at all levels of government, including two Catholic presidents and multiple Catholic vice presidents, indicates a growing acceptance of Catholic leaders in American politics. The diversity of views among Catholic politicians demonstrates that Catholicism is a complex and influential part of the national dialogue, rather than a monolithic force in politics.
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Catholic vice presidential nominees since 1960
Since 1960, there have been several Catholic vice-presidential nominees in the United States. John F. Kennedy, the first and only Catholic US president, was elected in 1960. Since then, there have been Catholic vice-presidential nominees in the following years: 1964 (William E. Miller), 1968 (Ed Muskie), 1972 (Tom Eagleton and Sargent Shriver), 1984 (Geraldine Ferraro), and 2008 (Joe Biden). Joe Biden became the second Catholic president in 2020, and JD Vance, who is also Catholic, became vice president in 2025.
In the 1960 election, Kennedy's Catholicism was a significant issue, and he had to reassure Protestant ministers that he would not take orders from the Vatican and that his faith would not influence his decisions as president. Kennedy's victory proved that anti-Catholic prejudice might be decreasing, and since then, numerous Catholics have held important government positions and shaped national policy.
The increasing number of Catholic politicians at all levels of government suggests that voters are generally comfortable with Catholic candidates, provided they address the broader concerns of the nation. However, ideological differences within Catholicism may shape how future Catholic leaders navigate their faith in public office. Some Catholic politicians emphasise social teachings on economic justice and human dignity, while others focus on issues such as religious liberty and conservative social values.
While Catholicism remains influential, the United States is becoming more religiously diverse, with growing numbers of non-religious, evangelical, and other faith groups. The diversity of views and policies among Catholic leaders demonstrates that Catholicism is not a monolithic force in politics but rather a complex and influential part of the national dialogue.
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Catholic voters as a crucial electoral bloc
Catholic voters remain a crucial electoral bloc in the United States, often seen as a bellwether in presidential elections. As of January 2023, there were 27 Catholics in the US Senate and 122 in the House of Representatives, demonstrating the increasing integration of Catholic perspectives into the broader political landscape. The impact of Catholic leaders extends beyond the presidency and vice presidency, with numerous figures holding key positions in government and influencing national policy and judicial decisions.
Historically, Catholic voters have been politically diverse, supporting both Democratic and Republican candidates based on a mix of economic, social, and religious concerns. While some prioritise issues like abortion and religious liberty, others focus on economic justice, immigration, and healthcare. This diversity reflects the evolving role of Catholicism in American politics and society. The United States, founded on Protestant principles, experienced waves of anti-Catholic sentiment throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, with fears that a Catholic leader would undermine national sovereignty.
However, the increasing number of Catholic politicians at all levels of government indicates that the electorate is generally comfortable with Catholic candidates. The presence of Catholic leaders in the White House and other high-ranking positions suggests that religious affiliation is no longer a significant barrier to political success. As the face of Catholicism in America changes alongside shifting demographics, the interpretation and prioritisation of Catholic social teachings may differ among politicians.
For instance, Joe Biden, the first Catholic Vice President and later the second Catholic President, emphasised Catholic social teachings on economic justice and human dignity. In contrast, JD Vance, the second Catholic Vice President, focused on issues such as religious liberty and conservative social values. These internal divisions within Catholicism could lead to further debates over what it means to be a Catholic leader in American politics. While Catholicism remains influential, the US is becoming more religiously diverse, with growing numbers of non-religious, evangelical, and other faith traditions among voters.
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Frequently asked questions
There have been two Catholic vice presidents in the US: Joe Biden and JD Vance.
Joe Biden was the first Catholic vice president of the US.
JD Vance was the second Catholic vice president of the US. He assumed office in 2025.
Yes, there have been two Catholic presidents in the US: Joe Biden and John F. Kennedy.
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