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Karoline Leavitt is an American government official who serves as the 36th White House press secretary under the second Trump administration. She is the youngest person to hold the post at 27 years old. Leavitt was born on 24 August 1997 in Atkinson, New Hampshire, and grew up in a Roman Catholic family. She attended Central Catholic High School, a private Catholic school in Massachusetts, and later Saint Anselm College, where she continued her Catholic education. Leavitt has often spoken about the importance of faith in her life and has credited her Catholic schooling for instilling pro-life values, discipline, and the importance of public service. She has also stated that she begins every day with prayer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic Schooling | Central Catholic High School, a private Catholic school |
| Spirituality | Roman Catholic |
| Mores | Faith, family, discipline, the importance of public service, and anti-abortion stances |
| College | Saint Anselm College |
| Major | Communications |
| Minor | Political Science |
| Political Affiliation | Republican Party |
| Current Position | 36th White House Press Secretary |
| Year Appointed | 2025 |
| Administration | Second Trump Administration |
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What You'll Learn
Karoline Leavitt's Catholic education
Karoline Leavitt is a practising Catholic and has often spoken about the importance of faith in her life. She has credited her Catholic education for instilling in her certain values and mores, including faith, family, discipline, the importance of public service, and anti-abortion stances.
Leavitt was born on 24 August 1997 in Atkinson, New Hampshire, to Bob and Erin Leavitt. She was the fourth and youngest child of the family, which owned an ice cream stand in Atkinson and a used truck dealership in Plaistow. For her schooling, she attended Central Catholic High School, a private Catholic school in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Here, she played softball and was named an Eagle-Tribune All-Star in 2014 and 2015.
In interviews, she has credited her Roman Catholic education as formative for her spirituality and for instilling in her the aforementioned values. She has also stated that her fighting spirit and commitment to truth come from her family life and Catholic education.
Leavitt began attending Saint Anselm College in 2015, where she received a scholarship to play softball and majored in communications and minored in political science. She continued her Catholic education here, and her parents worked hard to send her to this college, making her the first member of her family to receive an undergraduate degree. She has stated that the values of hard work and determination were ingrained in her from a young age through her Catholic education.
Leavitt has also been open about her Catholic faith. She has been quoted saying that she wakes up every day and prays, asking God to give her strength. She has also been seen taking a few moments to pray before stepping into the White House briefing room.
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Leavitt's anti-abortion stance
Karoline Leavitt is a practicing Catholic and has been vocal about her anti-abortion stance. She has stated that her religious beliefs play a pivotal role in shaping her political views, and she has consistently advocated for anti-abortion policies and legislation. Leavitt's opposition to abortion is deeply rooted in her Catholic faith and its teachings on the sanctity of life. She believes that life begins at conception and that abortion is the immoral and unjustified taking of innocent human life.
Leavitt has translated her anti-abortion beliefs into concrete political actions and positions. During her time as a communications aide for former President Donald Trump, she worked to promote and support his administration's anti-abortion initiatives. Trump's presidency was marked by a strong focus on restricting abortion access, and Leavitt's role included shaping public discourse and messaging around these policies. She also served as the press secretary for Representative Elise Stefanik, a Republican known for her anti-abortion rights stance. Leavitt's work with Stefanik involved highlighting and promoting the congresswoman's efforts to limit abortion access and defund organizations like Planned Parenthood.
In her own political career, Leavitt has continued to emphasize her anti-abortion position. Running as a Republican candidate for New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District in 2022, she made her opposition to abortion rights a central tenet of her campaign. Leavitt pledged to support and advocate for legislation that restricts abortion access and protects the "unborn." She has also expressed support for defunding organizations that provide abortion services, such as Planned Parenthood, and redirecting that funding to support crisis pregnancy centers and adoption services.
Leavitt's stance aligns with the broader Catholic Church's teachings on abortion. The Catholic Church has long held a consistent life ethic, opposing abortion and euthanasia as violations of the sanctity of human life. The Church teaches that human life is sacred and that all life deserves protection from the moment of conception. This belief forms the basis of the Church's opposition to abortion, and it is a view that Leavitt has embraced and incorporated into her political platform.
Leavitt's anti-abortion position has drawn both support and criticism. Her stance resonates with many conservative and religious voters who share her beliefs about the sanctity of life. However, it has also faced opposition from those who support reproductive rights and believe that abortion access is essential for women's autonomy and equality. The debate around abortion remains a highly contentious issue in American politics, and Leavitt's stance places her firmly on the side of those seeking to restrict abortion access and strengthen protections for the unborn.
Overall, Karoline Leavitt's anti-abortion stance is a key aspect of her political and personal identity. Informed by her Catholic faith, Leavitt has actively worked to promote and support policies that limit abortion access. Her position reflects a consistent life ethic and a commitment to the belief that life begins at conception. Leavitt's stance has influenced her career choices, political platform, and advocacy efforts, demonstrating the integral role that religious beliefs can play in shaping one's political views and actions.
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Her Catholic family
Karoline Leavitt, the former press secretary for New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu and current Republican nominee for New Hampshire's 1st congressional district, was born and raised in a Catholic family. Her Catholic faith and values have played a significant role in her personal and professional life.
Leavitt's Catholic upbringing instilled in her a strong sense of discipline, morality, and service to others. She has often credited her family for teaching her the importance of hard work, integrity, and giving back to the community. Growing up, Leavitt attended Catholic schools and was actively involved in her parish, participating in religious education and youth groups.
Her family's Catholic faith provided a solid foundation for her values and shaped her world view. Catholicism emphasizes the principles of compassion, social justice, and respect for life, all of which have influenced Leavitt's political stance and career choices. She has been vocal about her pro-life beliefs, which align with the Catholic Church's teachings on the sanctity of life.
Leavitt's Catholic background also extends to her social and community involvement. She has volunteered for Catholic charities and organizations, such as soup kitchens and homeless shelters. Her family may have also participated in church-organized missions or outreach programs, further emphasizing the importance of helping those in need. Catholicism promotes the idea of serving the less fortunate and working towards social justice, and these values would have been integral to Leavitt's family life and upbringing.
While Leavitt's Catholic faith is an essential aspect of her life, it is essential to respect her privacy regarding her current religious practices and personal beliefs. An individual's religious journey is unique and can evolve over time. Regardless of her current level of religious observance, there is no doubt that her Catholic family and upbringing have contributed significantly to shaping the person she is today.
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Leavitt's career as White House Press Secretary
Karoline Leavitt is the 36th White House Press Secretary, serving under the second Trump administration. She was appointed to the role in November 2024, becoming the youngest person to hold the position in US history.
Leavitt began her career in politics as an intern in the White House Office of Presidential Correspondence, responding to letters sent to the president. By June 2020, she had risen to the rank of associate director. That same month, she was named assistant White House press secretary. In January 2021, weeks before Donald Trump left office, she became the communications director for New York representative Elise Stefanik.
Leavitt joined Trump's 2024 presidential campaign in January 2024 as his national press secretary. She was then named White House press secretary in November 2024. She gave her first press conference on January 28, 2025, beginning the briefing by seeking to elevate non-traditional media. During the press conference, she falsely stated that $50 million in taxpayer dollars had been intended to fund condoms in the Gaza Strip.
Leavitt's tenure as White House Press Secretary has been marked by a separation from precedent, particularly in the treatment of traditional media. In February 2025, she announced that the White House would select who participated in the presidential press pool, stating that "new voices are going to be welcomed" alongside traditional media.
Leavitt has also faced scrutiny for her appearance, specifically regarding her decision to stop wearing a cross necklace. In July 2025, she was pictured without the necklace while discussing the Epstein files, sparking online speculation.
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Her Catholic prayers and beliefs
Karoline Leavitt is a practising Catholic. She has credited her Catholic education for instilling in her certain values, including faith, family, discipline, the importance of public service, and anti-abortion stances. She has also said that her fighting spirit and commitment to truth come from her Catholic education.
Leavitt attended Central Catholic High School, a private Catholic school in Lawrence, Massachusetts. She later attended Saint Anselm College, where she continued her Catholic education. She has said that she is proud to be the first member of her family to receive an undergraduate degree.
Leavitt has said that she begins every day with prayer. For instance, before stepping into the White House briefing room, she took a moment to pray, saying:
> Lord Jesus, please give us the strength, the knowledge, the ability to articulate our words.
Leavitt has also expressed her hope that Donald Trump will lead America back to God. She has said:
> I wake up every day and say my prayers and ask God to give me the strength I need.
Leavitt's Catholic faith has influenced her political beliefs and values. She has praised the "peaceful transfer of power" in the United States and expressed support for Trump's appointment of Supreme Court justices who struck down Roe v. Wade.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Karoline Leavitt is Catholic. She has credited her Catholic education for instilling pro-life values, discipline, and the importance of public service.
Karoline Leavitt has said that she is "very proud" of her Catholic education and that she is the first member of her family to receive an undergraduate degree. She has also said that she begins every day with prayer.
Yes, Karoline Leavitt attended Central Catholic High School, a private Catholic school in Lawrence, Massachusetts. She later attended Saint Anselm College in Amherst, New Hampshire.
Karoline Leavitt's Catholic faith has influenced her career in several ways. She has said that her Catholic education formed who she is and instilled values of hard work and determination. Her faith has also influenced her political views, as she has stated that her Catholic education is the reason she is a conservative.
