Ethan Walker
John F. Kennedy and Joe Biden are the only two Catholic presidents in American history. Kennedy, the first Catholic president, faced external pressure from anti-Catholic prejudice and accusations of allegiance to a foreign power, the Vatican. In contrast, Biden faces internal pressure from within the Catholic Church, with critics questioning his stance on issues like abortion. While nearly all US presidents have been Christians, some, like Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, had no formal religious affiliation, and others, like Jimmy Carter, made their faith a defining aspect of their campaigns and presidency.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of Catholic presidents | 2 |
| First Catholic president | John F. Kennedy |
| Second Catholic president | Joe Biden |
| Other Catholic presidential nominee | John Kerry |
| Religion of nearly all US presidents | Christianity |
| Largest religious group among US presidents | Episcopalians |
| Second-largest religious group among US presidents | Presbyterians |
| Third-largest religious group among US presidents | Unitarians and Baptists |
| Number of presidents with no formal denomination | 4 |
| Examples of presidents with no formal denomination | Trump, Barack Obama |
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What You'll Learn
John F. Kennedy was the first Catholic president
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, or JFK, was the 35th president of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. He was the first Roman Catholic president and the youngest person elected president at 43 years old. Kennedy's religion was a significant factor in his campaign and presidency. Anti-Catholic prejudice was prevalent in American life when JFK decided to seek the presidency in 1960. Only one Catholic, Governor Alfred E. Smith of New York, had previously been the presidential nominee of one of the major parties. Smith's 1928 campaign was plagued by claims that he would amend the Constitution to make Catholicism the nation's official religion, and he was overwhelmingly defeated.
JFK established a network of advisers on the religious issue, including speechwriter Ted Sorensen and journalists. He addressed the matter directly in a speech before the American Society of Newspaper Editors, challenging the notion that a Catholic could not be elected president. Kennedy's campaign strategy was to win several primaries to demonstrate his electability and prove that a Catholic candidate could gain popular support. He won the West Virginia primary, a state with a low Catholic population, and declared, "I think we have buried the religion issue once and for all."
However, religion remained a bubbling issue throughout the campaign. In September, a group of Protestant ministers asserted that Kennedy could not remain independent of Church control. Kennedy addressed the Greater Houston Ministerial Association, promising to respect the separation of church and state and not allow Catholic officials to dictate public policy. His performance was well-received, and the film of his talk was used extensively by the JFK campaign. Kennedy also faced opposition from American-born bishops in Puerto Rico, who issued a statement forbidding Catholics from voting for candidates who disagreed with the Church on abortion and birth control. This controversy was believed to have impacted the momentum of Kennedy's campaign, contributing to a surge towards his opponent, Richard Nixon.
Despite the religious obstacles, Kennedy won the presidency by a narrow margin. While religion helped him in several urban and industrial states, it also contributed to his loss in states like Ohio, Kentucky, Florida, and Tennessee. Kennedy's victory as the first Catholic president was significant, demonstrating that a Catholic could gain the support of the American people and overcome historical prejudices.
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Catholics have historically faced obstacles in US politics
For much of American history, Catholicism was viewed with suspicion in the political arena. 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. These concerns were reinforced by the rise of organizations like the Know-Nothing Party in the 1850s and the Ku Klux Klan in the early 20th century, both of which actively opposed Catholic political influence. Even as Catholic immigrants gained political power in cities, national leadership remained out of reach.
The shift towards greater acceptance of Catholicism in politics began in the mid-20th century, as Catholic politicians gained prominence in Congress and state governments. By the time John F. Kennedy ran for president in 1960, the country had become more open to religious diversity, although significant obstacles and skepticism remained. Kennedy was dogged by insinuations that he held greater allegiance to a foreign power, the Vatican, and therefore could not be trusted with the presidency. Kennedy addressed these concerns in a landmark speech to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association in September 1960, emphasizing his commitment to the separation of church and state. He declared, "I am not the Catholic candidate for president. I am the Democratic Party's candidate for president who happens to be Catholic." This reassurance helped neutralize fears and allowed him to win the election.
Kennedy's presidency symbolized a broader acceptance of Catholicism in American politics and set a precedent for future Catholic candidates at the highest levels of government. However, ideological differences within Catholicism may shape how future leaders navigate their faith in public office. While some emphasize Catholic social teachings on economic justice and human dignity, others focus on issues such as religious liberty and conservative social values. These internal divisions could lead to further debates over what it means to be a Catholic leader in an increasingly religiously diverse United States.
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Biden is the second Catholic president
Joe Biden is the second Catholic president in US history, after John F. Kennedy. Biden is a practising Catholic and regularly attends Mass. He often speaks about his faith and quotes the Bible.
Biden's Catholicism has been a point of contention for some US Catholics, particularly regarding his views on abortion and whether he should be allowed to receive Communion. Biden's election was seen as significant by some Catholic leaders, but his stance on certain social issues has caused clashes with the US Catholic hierarchy.
The religious beliefs of US presidents have often been a topic of interest and debate. While the US Constitution prohibits any religious test or requirement for public office, the religious affiliation of presidents has been a factor for voters. Biden's election as the second Catholic president is notable in this context, particularly given the historical dominance of Protestant denominations among US presidents.
While Biden is the second Catholic president, nearly all US presidents have been Christians. Two notable exceptions were Thomas Jefferson, who lost his faith in traditional Christianity but believed in an impersonal God, and Abraham Lincoln, who spoke frequently about God but never joined a church. Lincoln's religious beliefs have been the subject of scholarly debate, and some aspects remain a mystery.
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Catholic politicians are becoming more prominent
Despite Catholicism being one of the largest religious groups in the US, John F. Kennedy was the only Catholic president until Joe Biden was sworn in on January 20, 2021. Since Kennedy's assassination in 1963, only one other Catholic, John Kerry, has been a presidential nominee for a major party.
For much of US history, Catholicism was viewed with suspicion in the political arena. 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. These concerns were reinforced by the rise of organizations like the Know-Nothing Party in the 1850s and the Ku Klux Klan in the early 20th century, both of which actively opposed Catholic political influence.
However, in the mid-20th century, Catholic politicians began to gain prominence in Congress and state governments. By the time Kennedy ran for president in 1960, the country had become more open to religious diversity, although significant skepticism remained. Kennedy addressed these concerns by delivering a landmark speech to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association, emphasizing his commitment to the separation of church and state. He stated, "I am not the Catholic candidate for president. I am the Democratic Party's candidate for president who happens to be Catholic."
Kennedy's election set a precedent and helped normalize Catholic candidates at the highest levels of government. Today, with two Catholic presidents and multiple Catholic vice presidents, it is evident that Catholic politicians are becoming more prominent. The increasing number of Catholic politicians at all levels of government indicates that the electorate is generally comfortable with Catholic candidates, provided they can address the broader concerns of the nation.
However, ideological differences within Catholicism may shape how future Catholic leaders navigate their faith in public office. While some emphasize Catholic social teachings on economic justice and human dignity, others focus on issues such as religious liberty and conservative social values. These internal divisions could lead to further debates over what it means to be a Catholic leader in American politics.
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The US is religiously diverse and becoming more so
The United States has a long history of religious diversity, with various denominations and faiths represented throughout its existence. While the country was founded on Protestant principles, it has seen waves of religious diversity and changing religious landscapes over the years. The US has had two Catholic presidents, John F. Kennedy and Joe Biden, and multiple Catholic vice presidents, which indicates that the country has become more accepting of religious diversity in its leadership.
For much of US history, Catholicism was viewed with suspicion in politics. There were fears that a Catholic president would be influenced by the Vatican, undermining national sovereignty. This anti-Catholic sentiment was reinforced by organisations like the Know-Nothing Party and the Ku Klux Klan, which actively opposed Catholic political influence. Despite Catholicism being one of the nation's largest religious groups, with about one-in-five US adults identifying as Catholic, it was rare to see Catholic candidates at the highest levels of government until the mid-20th century.
John F. Kennedy, the first Catholic president, faced significant obstacles due to his religion during his 1960 campaign. He addressed these concerns by delivering a landmark speech reaffirming his commitment to the separation of church and state. Kennedy's presidency symbolised a broader acceptance of Catholicism in American politics and set a precedent for future Catholic leaders. However, even in recent times, there have been debates about how beholden a Catholic president should be to their faith while in office.
The US has had a diverse range of religious affiliations among its presidents, including Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Unitarians, Baptists, and those without a formal denomination. While almost all presidents have been Christians, there have been varying degrees of religious belief and practice among them. Some presidents were private about their religious leanings, while others, like Donald Trump, Barack Obama, and Ronald Reagan, had well-documented faith journeys and conversions.
The US is becoming even more religiously diverse, with growing numbers of voters identifying as non-religious, evangelical, or belonging to other faith traditions. This changing religious landscape is reflected in the increasing diversity of religious affiliations among the country's leaders. As the US continues to evolve, it is likely that its leadership will also reflect the diverse religious beliefs and backgrounds of its citizens.
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Frequently asked questions
No. John F. Kennedy and Joe Biden are the only two Catholic presidents in American history.
Almost all American presidents have been Christians. Many have been Episcopalians or Presbyterians, with most of the rest belonging to other prominent Protestant denominations.
Some examples of non-Catholic presidents and their religious affiliations include George Washington (Episcopalian), Ronald Reagan (Disciples of Christ), and Barack Obama (non-denominational Christian).
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