Sarah Mitchell
Marco Rubio is a Cuban-American politician, lawyer, and diplomat who has served as the 72nd United States secretary of state since 2025. He is also the acting national security advisor and the acting archivist of the United States. Rubio has had a complex and dynamic religious journey, with some sources describing him as an Evangelical Catholic. While he was raised Catholic and received his first communion in the Catholic Church, he also attended the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for a few years during his childhood. As an adult, he attended a Southern Baptist Church, Christ Fellowship, almost exclusively from 2000 to 2004, but later returned to Catholicism and now attends Catholic churches in Washington, D.C., and Florida. Rubio's religious affiliations have been a topic of interest and discussion during his political campaigns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Childhood religion | Catholic |
| Current church | Catholic churches in Washington, D.C., and Florida |
| Previous church | Christ Fellowship, a Southern Baptist Church |
| Religious hybrid | Evangelical Catholic |
| Religious journey | Catholicism to Mormonism to an Evangelical megachurch and back to Catholicism |
| Religious affiliation changes | Multiple |
| First Communion | Received as a Catholic in 1984 |
| Confirmation | Confirmed as a Catholic |
| Wedding | Held in a Catholic church, the Church of the Little Flower |
| Current political position | 72nd United States secretary of state |
| Previous political position | Senator for Florida |
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What You'll Learn
Marco Rubio's religious background
Marco Rubio is a Catholic. He has been described as an "Evangelical Catholic", and has been known to practice both Catholicism and Protestantism. Rubio has donated at least $50,000 to Miami's Christ Fellowship, a Southern Baptist congregation. He attended this church almost exclusively from 2000 to 2004. However, he now finds his religious home in Catholic churches in Washington, D.C., and Florida.
Rubio was born in 1971 in Miami, Florida, and grew up in a Catholic family. From ages 8 to 11, he and his family attended the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while living in Las Vegas. He received his first communion as a Catholic in 1984 before moving back to Miami. He was confirmed in the Catholic Church and was married in the Church of the Little Flower, a Catholic church in Miami. Rubio and his wife have four children, who have also received their first Holy Communion in the Catholic Church.
In his memoir, Rubio writes about his attendance at both Christ Fellowship and Mass on Sundays. He has also written about his relationship with Jesus and his appreciation for the strong preaching and children's programs at Christ Fellowship. In a November 2016 speech, Rubio acknowledged that he had often been criticized for straddling the Catholic and Protestant faiths. He said that without Christ Fellowship, he would never have returned to Catholicism.
Rubio's religious background has been a topic of interest during his political career. He has been accused by secular commentators of being "rather scripted" when speaking about faith. In 2012, he introduced presidential candidate Mitt Romney at the Republican National Convention, saying, "We're bound together by common values... faith in our Creator is the most important American value of all." This comment led to criticism from atheists, who felt that Rubio considered them less American than their religious neighbors.
Despite this, Rubio has expressed support for religious freedom and conscience rights. He has also stated that there should be a separation between the Pope's infallibility on faith and morals and his opinions on politics, science, or economics.
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His journey to Catholicism
Marco Rubio is a Cuban-American politician, lawyer, and diplomat. He is a member of the Republican Party and has served in various political roles since 2000. Rubio is a Catholic and has been described as an "Evangelical Catholic". He has donated at least $50,000 to Miami's Christ Fellowship, a Southern Baptist congregation. However, he now finds his religious home in Catholic churches in Washington, D.C., and Florida.
Rubio was born in 1971 and grew up in a Catholic family. From ages 8 to 11, he and his family attended the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while living in Las Vegas. In 1984, he received his first communion as a Catholic and moved back to Miami. He was confirmed and later married in the Catholic Church.
In 2000, Rubio and his wife, Jeanette, began attending Christ Fellowship, a Southern Baptist Church. The main attraction for the couple was the church's pastor, Rick Blackwood, who Rubio called "a gifted preacher very adept at connecting real-life experiences to biblical teaching". Rubio and his family attended services at Christ Fellowship regularly and tithed to the church.
However, in 2004, Rubio began to delve deeper into his Roman Catholic roots, reading the entire catechism. He concluded that "every sacrament, every symbol, and tradition of the Catholic faith is intended to convey, above everything else, the revelation that God yearns, too, for a relationship with you." Rubio wrote that Christ Fellowship had actually led him back to Catholicism and that he missed the sacraments and liturgy of the Catholic Church.
In his memoir, Rubio writes about attending Christ Fellowship on Saturday nights and Mass on Sundays at St. Louis Catholic Church. He and his wife continue to maintain a relationship with Christ Fellowship, listening to the church's podcasts and attending services occasionally.
Rubio's journey to Catholicism has been marked by his defense of religious freedom and his open faith journey. He has been accused by secular commentators of being "rather scripted" and has faced criticism for straddling the Catholic and Protestant faiths. However, he has also been praised for his rhetorical style and ability to unite Christians and Republicans.
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His views on atheists
Marco Rubio is a practicing Roman Catholic, and his faith plays a significant role in his personal and political life. While he has not explicitly spoken about his views on atheists, we can infer some insights from his comments and political stance. Rubio has been vocal about the importance of religious freedom and has criticized what he sees as the erosion of religious liberty in the United States. In a 2015 speech at the Catholic University of America, he stated that 'the moral truths our nation was built upon are increasingly under attack.' He has also expressed concern over what he perceives as a growing secularism that threatens religious values and institutions.
Given these statements, it is likely that Rubio, like many social conservatives, views atheism and secularism as detrimental to society. He may see the absence of religious belief as leading to a breakdown of traditional values and moral absolutes. This is a common perspective among those who advocate for a more prominent role for religion in public life and policy-making. However, it is important to note that Rubio has also emphasized the importance of respecting differing viewpoints. In the same 2015 speech, he acknowledged that people of faith must 'respectfully and lovingly engage with those who do not share our beliefs.'
While he clearly prioritizes his Catholic faith, Rubio seems to recognize the diversity of religious and non-religious perspectives in the United States. He may not agree with atheists on fundamental philosophical questions, but his comments suggest a willingness to engage in dialogue and find common ground. This is a more nuanced approach than some of his peers, who may be more inclined to demonize or dismiss atheism outright. Rubio's views on atheists are likely shaped by his own religious convictions and his interpretation of the role of religion in the public sphere.
It is worth noting that as a politician, his statements may also be influenced by strategic considerations and the need to appeal to a broad base of voters. While we can only speculate about his personal views, Rubio's public remarks suggest a complex attitude towards atheism, informed by his faith but also tempered by a pragmatic understanding of the diverse nature of American society. His emphasis on religious freedom and respect for differing beliefs indicates a more inclusive perspective than some of his socially conservative peers.
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His religious attendance
Marco Rubio is a Catholic, and he attends Mass at the Church of the Little Flower in Coral Gables, Florida. He was raised Catholic and received his first communion as a Catholic in 1984. However, between the ages of 8 and 11, he and his family attended the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while living in Las Vegas.
Rubio has been described as an "Evangelical Catholic", a label that may be off-putting to some voters. He has attended Christ Fellowship, a Southern Baptist megachurch in Miami, almost exclusively from 2000 to 2004. He has donated at least $50,000 to the church and has praised its strong preaching and children's programs. In his memoir, Rubio writes that he would attend Christ Fellowship on Saturday nights and Mass on Sundays at St. Louis Catholic Church.
In a November 2016 speech, Rubio acknowledged that he had often been criticized for straddling the Catholic and Protestant faiths. He said that Christ Fellowship had led him back to Catholicism and that he had retained his relationship with the church, although he no longer attended every weekend. Rubio has also stated that he missed Roman Catholicism while attending Christ Fellowship, craving the Holy Communion and the sacramental point of contact between the Catholic and the liturgy of heaven.
In 2012, when asked by GQ magazine how old he thought the Earth was, Rubio dodged the question, saying that he was not a scientist and that there were multiple theories about the creation of the universe. He has also disagreed with Pope Francis on certain issues, such as climate change and income inequality, while being moved by the Pope's concern for immigrants.
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His religious donations
Marco Rubio is a Cuban-American politician, lawyer, and diplomat who has served as the 72nd United States secretary of state since 2025. Rubio has had a varied religious journey, having been baptised as a Catholic, then as a Mormon, and having attended a Southern Baptist church. Rubio has donated at least $50,000 to Miami's Christ Fellowship, a Southern Baptist congregation he attended almost exclusively from 2000 to 2004. Rubio wrote that Christ Fellowship deepened his relationship with Jesus, but that he missed Roman Catholicism.
In his memoir, Rubio writes that he would attend Christ Fellowship on Saturday nights and Mass on Sundays at St. Louis Catholic Church. His children have received their first Communion. Rubio's parents were Catholic, and he is now a practicing Catholic, despite having changed religious affiliations several times. He was married in the Catholic Church and received his first communion as a Catholic in 1984. Rubio has described himself as being fully, theologically, doctrinally aligned with the Roman Catholic Church.
Rubio's religious donations are not limited to Christ Fellowship. As a senator, he condemned the massacres of Syrian minorities committed by pro-government fighters and announced that the United States stood with Syria's religious minorities, including Christian, Druze, Alawite, and Kurdish communities. Rubio has also been vocal about his support for religious freedom and has defended it throughout his career.
Rubio's religious beliefs have influenced his political career and how he is perceived by the public. He has been described as an Evangelical Catholic, and his hybrid of beliefs has sparked discussions about the possibility of being Catholic and Evangelical simultaneously. Rubio's religious talks have convinced many atheists that he considers them less American than their religious neighbours.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Marco Rubio is a Roman Catholic. He has donated at least $50,000 to Miami's Christ Fellowship, a Southern Baptist congregation, but he now attends Catholic churches in Washington, D.C., and Florida.
No, Marco Rubio has explored Mormonism and Evangelicalism. He has been described as an "Evangelical Catholic".
Yes, Marco Rubio has been criticised for straddling the Catholic and Protestant faiths. He has also been accused of considering atheists less American than their religious neighbours.
In a speech in November 2016, Rubio said: "We have retained our relationship with Christ Fellowship...But they preach from the same Bible. Because I don't know why we wouldn't be involved in the Spirit. Now, we don't go every weekend anymore to Christ Fellowship, but we remain involved with the church and remain very close friends with the people there."
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