25 Famous Catholics who shaped America’s first 250 years

Catholics have been part of the U.S. from its earliest days: In fact, the very first Europeans to reach the Americas were Catholic.

In honor of 250 years of America, here are 25 of the most influential Catholics — one for each decade — who have shaped U.S. history and culture.

Known as the “Apostle of California,” this Spanish Franciscan friar and missionary established nine of California's 21 historic missions and forever changed the history of the western U.S. 

This Irish-American patriot leader during the American Revolutionary War served as Secretary and Aide to General George Washington. He coined the name “United States of America,” using it in a January 1776 letter — its earliest known use.

Founding Father Charles Carroll of Carrollton was the only Catholic signatory of the Declaration of Independence. Well-educated and well-to-do, he had a long career in politics.

Charles’ cousin and one of the only other Catholic Founding Fathers, he was one of two Catholics who signed the Constitution, and continued to be involved in state and national politics throughout his life.

Daniel’s younger brother, he was a close friend of Benjamin Franklin and the first Catholic bishop in the U.S. He founded Georgetown University and St. John the Evangelist Parish in Maryland, the nation’s first parish not linked to religious order.

This Irish-born American naval officer served in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War and is called the “Father of the American Navy.”

Born into slavery in Haiti, Toussaint was brought to New York City by his enslavers, who eventually freed him. He was a very popular hairdresser and became well-to-do. A faithful Catholic who attended Mass every day, he used his wealth to support many charitable causes and had a major influence on the society of the day. He is the first and only layman to be buried in the crypt below the main altar of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York.

An American Catholic educator and a founder of the parochial school system, Seton led an unusual life, as she was a wife and mother of five children who entered religious life after her husband died. She is famously the first person born in what would become the United States to be canonized.

Known as “Dagger John,” Hughes was an incredibly influential figure who successfully defended the Church against nativist violence, built the U.S. Catholic school system, and served as a diplomat for President Lincoln during the Civil War. He was also an absolute legend.

In 1844, anti-Catholic rioters in Philadelphia burned down two churches and 12 people died. Hughes heard the riots were going to spread to his diocese of New York. He installed armed guards at all the churches and famously told the nativist-sympathizing mayor, “If a single Catholic Church were burned in New York, the city would become a second Moscow” — a reference to when the citizens of Moscow burned their own city to the ground to prevent Napoleon from using it as winter quarters for his army. His flock went unharmed, and “Dagger John” became “the best known, if not exactly the best loved Catholic bishop in the country.”

Archbishop of Baltimore for more than 40 years, Gibbons worked tirelessly to integrate Catholicism into American life. He famously published a bestselling book of Catholic apologetics, written specifically for Protestants wanting to learn about Catholicism, that was the most popular book in the U.S. for six decades until Gone with the Wind surpassed its sales.

An American soldier, bison hunter, showman, and one of the most famous figures of the American Old West, Cody had an enormous influence on the lore of the American West. He was received into the Catholic Church a day before he died.

Where can we begin to recount her incredible legacy? The first American to be canonized, Cabrini established 67 schools, orphanages, and other social service institutions, changing the lives of countless people. Just a couple weeks ago, Pope Leo encouraged young people to get to know her and her "captivating" life.

Founder of the Knights of Columbus, McGivney improved the lives of countless people through the mutual aid insurance and men’s fellowship that grew out of his organization.

A Philadelphia heiress turned nun, Drexel was the second U.S.-born person to be canonized. She gave up a vast fortune to work for racial justice, founding schools and missions for Native American and Black communities, including the first Catholic university for African Americans.

An American politician who served as governor of New York, Smith was the first Catholic major-party presidential nominee — and a large part of his platform was repealing Prohibition. While he lost the election, his campaign played a big role in the eventual repeal of Prohibition and helped to destigmatize Catholics running for public office. His legacy continues — to this day, the annual Al Smith Dinner raises funds for Catholic charities in New York. 

Many saints found creative ways to use new media to spread the Gospel, and Archbishop Sheen is a prime example, as he pioneered the use of radio and television to reach millions. Considered the first televangelist, his weekly radio broadcast The Catholic Hour and later award-winning television show Life Is Worth Living made him a cultural icon and media superstar. He had an enormous impact on decades of Americans and his beatification is scheduled for this September.

This American journalist and social activist became Catholic after a bohemian youth and co-founded the Catholic Worker Movement, an organization that aids people in need and which is still alive and well today. In an address before Congress, Pope Francis included her in a list of four exemplary Americans, and her cause for canonization is underway.

Clare Boothe Luce was an American writer, politician, diplomat, and public intellectual. She is best known for writing a 1936 hit play, The Women. After the death of her only child, she received grief counseling from Fulton Sheen and eventually converted to Catholicism.

A legend in the football world, Lombardi was a coach and NFL executive considered to be among the greatest coaches in American sports history. He was a devout lifelong Catholic.

A Trappist monk, theologian, mystic, poet, and social activist, Merton converted to Catholicism as an adult. His spiritual writings were highly popular during his lifetime and gained him worldwide fame. 

This diplomat, politician, and activist founded the Peace Corps and was the Democratic nominee for vice president in the 1972 presidential election, all while being a staunch Catholic.

The first Catholic president of the U.S., Kennedy was an inspiring and beloved figure to American Catholics of his time, who often faced anti-Catholic prejudice. His success seemed to validate that Catholics could fully belong in American public life. 

A novelist, short story writer, and essayist, O'Connor was a lifelong devout Catholic whose award-winning works are widely read today.

Mary Angelica of the Annunciation PCPA, known as “Mother Angelica,” was a nun of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration who founded the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), the largest Catholic television network in the U.S., bringing the Gospel and bolstering the faith of countless people.

Born and raised in Chicago as Robert Prevost, Pope Leo XIV made history when he was elected in 2025 as the first pope from the U.S. The extent of his influence on American life is just beginning to be seen, but already he's being credited with a surge of Catholic converts, known as "the Leo effect."