Pope Francis won’t just be speaking to members of Congress Thursday, he’ll also be speaking to some fellow Catholics.
About 31% of the current Congress is Catholic, and there are six Catholic justices on the Supreme Court. Interestingly, given the history of anti-Catholic prejudice in American politics, both of these percentages are actually higher than the American public, where 22% identify as Catholic.
House Speaker John Boehner, who is Catholic and has long held a dream for a Pope to visit Congress, met Pope Francis Thursday morning, while others will watch him address a joint meeting of Congress.
Here’s a look at some of the top Catholic lawmakers and politicians in the U.S.
Congress
John Boehner: The Ohio Republican and Speaker of the House was instrumental in arranging Pope Francis’s visit to Congress. Boehner has invited every Pope to the Capitol during his 24 years in Congress, Politico reports, and Pope Francis finally agreed.
Nancy Pelosi: House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi also identifies as Catholic. When Pope Francis’s U.S. visit was announced, she put out a statement saying, “Ever since his inauguration in 2013, Pope Francis has renewed the faith of Catholics worldwide and inspired a new generation of people, regardless of religious affiliation, to be instruments of God’s peace.”
Joe Biden: The Vice President, a devout Catholic, has been open about relying on his faith after the death of his son Beau Biden at the beginning of the summer. “For me, my religion is just an enormous sense of solace,” Biden told Stephen Colbert in a recent Late Show appearance. “Some of it relates to ritual, some of it relates to just comfort in what you’ve done your whole life. I go to Mass and I’m able to just be alone, even in the crowd. I say the rosary, I find it to be incredibly comforting.”
Paul Ryan: The Republican Congressman from Wisconsin was also involved in extending the invitation to Pope Francis to address Congress. Despite sharply parting ways with the pope on economic issues, Ryan has said, “What I love about the pope is he is triggering the exact kind of dialogue we ought to be having.”
2016 Presidential Candidates
Jeb Bush: The former Republican Governor of Florida and current 2016 presidential candidate converted to Catholicism when he married his wife Columba. But earlier this year he said he does not mix his faith and his politics: “I go to church to have my faith nourished, to have my faith challenged,” he said. “That’s why I go to Mass. I don’t go to Mass for economic policy or for things in politics.”
Marco Rubio: The Republican Senator from Florida was raised Catholic, but he has experimented with other religions throughout his life. He was baptized as a Mormon when his family lived in Las Vegas for three years beginning when he was eight years old, and then he converted back to Catholicism when they moved back to Florida. He now attends both a Catholic church and a Southern Baptist congregation.
Rick Santorum: The former Republican Pennsylvania Senator is a deeply religious, socially conservative Catholic, but he’s been open in his criticism of Pope Francis’s political agendas. “I think when we get involved with controversial political and scientific theories, then I think the church is probably not as forceful and credible,” he said, while also saying that he’s a “huge fan” of Pope Francis.
Chris Christie: The Republican New Jersey Governor was raised Catholic and doesn’t shy away from talking about his religion. But he also sometimes parts with church teachings: “I’m a Catholic, but I’ve used birth control. And not just the rhythm method,” he said in August. ““My church has a teaching against birth control. Does that make me an awful Catholic, because I believe and practiced that function during part of my life? I don’t think so.”
Bobby Jindal: The Republican Louisiana Governor was raised Hindu and converted to what he calls being an “evangelical Catholic,” a conversion that he’s made central to his campaign as he woos the religious Right in the country. “I don’t know about you, but sometimes it feels like evangelical Christians are the only group that it’s okay to discriminate against in this society,” he said at a prayer breakfast on the campaign trail.
George Pataki: The former Republican New York Governor doesn’t often speak about his faith publicly and, like Christie, has taken stances that conflict with church teachings: he’s pro-choice and pro-death penalty.
Martin O’Malley: A long-shot contender for the 2016 Democratic nomination, the former Maryland Governor is a practicing Catholic who has said faith shaped his views on issues such as the death penalty, which he abolished in Maryland two years ago. But he has crossed Catholic doctrine on gay marriage.
The Supreme Court
Supreme Court Justices John Roberts, Samuel Alito, Anthony Kennedy, Antonin Scalia, Sonia Sotomayor and Clarence Thomas are all Catholic. These six were appointed by both Republican and Democratic presidents, and their religious views don’t always obviously inform their decisions, as they come down on different sides on issues such as same-sex marriage and religious freedom.
See Photos of Pope Francis’ Historic Visit to U.S.
Pope Francis sits on board his Rome-bound plane after his visit to the U.S. in Philadelphia, on Sept. 27, 2015.Charles Mostoller—ReutersA man looks at a television screen showing Pope Francis as he celebrates the Festival of Families Sunday mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015.Carlos Barria—ReutersA man holds a child as Pope Francis celebrates mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015.Matt Slocum—APPope Francis conducts the final mass of his U.S. visit in Philadelphia, on Sept. 27, 2015.Mark Makela—ReutersPeople without tickets watch on video screens as Pope Francis celebrates mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015.Jonathan Ernst—ReutersPope Francis waves to the crowd from the pope mobile during a parade along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway before Mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015.Michael Perez—APCrowds wait to go through security checkpoint before entering the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for the Papal Mass on Sept. 27, 2015, in Philadelphia.Michael Perez—APA family from Trenton, N.J., originally from Ecuador, walk over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge ahead of a Sunday Mass to be delivered by Pope Francis in Philadelphia, on Sept. 27, 2015.Julio Cortez—APPope Francis waves to the crowd during a parade in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015.Matt Rourke—APPope Francis takes the stage during the Festival of Families in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015.Matt Slocum—APPeople pray and watch as Pope Francis celebrates mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015. James Robinson—APThe wind lifts Pope Francis' mantle as he delivers his speech in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015.Tony Gentile—APPope Francis is greeted by seminarians as he arrives at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, on Sept. 26, 2015, in Wynnewood, Pa.Mel Evans—APNuns wait for Pope Francis' arrival at the Festival of Families rally along Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015.Carlos Barria—ReutersPope Francis kisses and blesses Michael Keating, 10, of Elverson, Pa after arriving in Philadelphia and exiting his car when he saw the boy, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, at Philadelphia International Airport.Joseph Gidjunis—World Meeting of Families/APPope Francis reads his homily while celebrating high Mass at Madison Square Garden, on Sept. 25, 2015 in New York City.Julie Jacobson—APA crucifix hangs above member of the clergy who watch as Pope Francis, not shown, celebrates Mass at Madison Square Garden, on Sept. 25, 2015 in New York City.Michael Appleton—APThousands of people watch Pope Francis ride in the popemobile through Central Park on Sept. 25, 2015 in New York City.Justin Sullivan—Getty ImagesPope Francis arrives in his car for a visit to Our Lady Queen of Angels School in the Harlem neighborhood of New York, on Sept. 25, 2015.Eric Thayer—APSecurity personnel watch from the back of a vehicle as Pope Francis tours Our Lady Queen of Angels School in East Harlem in New York City, on Sept. 25, 2015. Brendan McDermid—ReutersPope Francis and Cardinal Timothy Dolan, left, pray at the South Pool of the 9/11 Memorial in downtown Manhattan, on Sept. 25, 2015. John Minchillo—APPope Francis is seen on a video monitor as he signs the United Nations guest book before addressing the General Assembly at United Nations headquarters in New York City, on Sept. 25, 2015.Mary Altaffer—APPope Francis makes his way down 5th Avenue in New York City to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City on Sept. 24, 2015.Damon Winter—AFP/Getty ImagesPeople in the crowds outside of St. Patrick's Cathedral take pictures in New York City, on Sept. 24, 2015.Damon Winter—The New York Times/ReutersA New York City police officer searches nuns outside St. Patrick's Cathedral prior to the arrival of Pope Francis in New York, on Sept. 24, 2015.Damon Winter—AP/The New York TimesPope Francis reaches out to 5th grader Omodele Ojo of East New York, Brooklyn as he is greeted as he arrives at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Sept. 24, 2015, in New York.Craig Ruttle—AFP/Getty ImagesPope Francis waves to supporters as he arrives at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, on Sept. 24, 2015.Craig Ruttle—AFP/Getty ImagesPope Francis waves to the crowd from the Speakers Balcony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015.Doug Mills—Getty ImagesPope Francis pauses in front of a sculpture of Spanish-born Junipero Serra, the Franciscan Friar known for starting missions in California, in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015Michael Reynolds—Getty ImagesPope Francis addresses a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015.Evan Vucci—APPope Francis listens to applause before addressing a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015, Alessandra Tarantino—APPope Francis and Speaker of the House John Boehner speak in the US Capitol building as the Pope arrives to deliver his speech to a joint meeting of Congress in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015. Bill Clark—EPAPope Francis performs Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Vincenzo Pinto—AFP/Getty ImagesPope Francis greets and blesses seminarians, novices, religious guests inside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Jim Bourg—ReutersPope Francis arrives for the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Rob Carr—Getty ImagesSt. Mathews Cathedral is reflected in a nearby building as onlookers wait for Pope Francis to arrive for midday prayer service at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Jose Luis Magana—APPope Francis waves to the crowd from the popemobile during a parade along Constitution Avenue in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Alex Brandon—APPope Francis waves to the crowd from the popemobile during a parade in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Alex Brandon—APPresident Barack Obama talks with Pope Francis in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Tony Gentile—APPresident Barack Obama and Pope Francis walk down the Colonnade before meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Andrew Harnik—APFirst Lady Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama, and Pope Francis wave during an arrival ceremony at the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Vincenzo Pinto—AFP/Getty ImagesGuests watch as President Barack Obama greets Pope Francis during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty ImagesPope Francis speaks alongside President Barack Obama during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty ImagesPresident Barack Obama welcomes Pope Francis during an arrival ceremony at the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Win McNamee—Getty ImagesPresident Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama accompany Pope Francis to the stage during a state arrival ceremony, on Sept. 23, 2015, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. Andrew Harnik—APPeople wait for the arrival of Pope Francis at the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Vincenzo Pinto—AFP/Getty ImagesPope Francis takereceives a kiss, outside the Apostolic Nunciature to the United States in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015 .Molly Riley—AFP/Getty ImagesA man holds up a Papal flag as he waits for Pope Francis departure from the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican's diplomatic mission in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Cliff Owen—APPope Francis waves from a Fiat 500 as his motorcade departs from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.Andrew Harnik—APA crowd of supporters cheer as they attend the arrival of Pope Francis at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, on Sept. 22, 2015.Kevin Lamarque—ReutersPope Francis is greeted by President Barack Obama, the First Family and children after arriving at Joint Base Andrews, Md, on Sept. 22, 2015. Michael Reynolds—EPAPresident Barack Obama welcomes Pope Francis to the United States as the Pontiff greets dignitaries upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, on Sept. 22, 2015.Kevin Larmarque—ReutersPresident Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, and others, greet Pope Francis upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015. Andrew Harnik—APPope Francis steps off his plane at Andrews Air Force Base in Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty ImagesPope Francis arrives at Andrews Air Force Base in Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty ImagesClergy brace for the wind as they stand along the red carpet on the tarmac at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015, as the plane carrying Pope Francis arrives.Andrew Harnik—APUS Air Force honor guard unroll the red carpet before Pope Francis arrives at Andrews Air Force Base in Md, on Sept. 22, 2015.Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty ImagesPope Francis arrives to the United States from Cuba at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images
