Marco Rubio is Catholic. He was born in Miami in 1971 and was baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 8. He received First Communion in the Catholic Church at age 13 in 1984. He has served as the 72nd U.S. Secretary of State since January 21, 2025.
What Are the 5 Key Facts About Marco Rubio’s Religion?
Marco Rubio’s religious background has 5 key facts, drawn from his office’s statements and news reports.
- Religion: Roman Catholic
- Childhood affiliation: Latter-day Saints baptism at age 8
- First Communion: 1984, at age 13
- Church attendance: Christ Fellowship in West Kendall, Florida (reported in 2010)
- Office: 72nd U.S. Secretary of State since January 21, 2025
Who Is Marco Rubio?
Marco Rubio is an American lawyer and Republican politician who serves as the 72nd U.S. Secretary of State. His earlier roles include West Miami city commissioner, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, and U.S. senator from Florida. The Senate confirmed him unanimously on January 20, 2025, and he was sworn in on January 21, 2025.
What Religion Is Marco Rubio?
Marco Rubio is Roman Catholic. According to his office, as reported by GetReligion in 2012, he received First Communion in the Catholic Church, was confirmed after returning to Miami, and was married in the Catholic Church. The Florida House Clerk’s Manual lists him as Catholic in 2002 and 2006.
What Are the Stages of Marco Rubio’s Religious Background?
The table below lists 7 stages of Marco Rubio’s religious background. The left column names the stage. The middle column gives the year or age. The right column describes the religious event. Sources are ABC News (2012) and GetReligion (2012 and 2010), which cite Rubio’s office.
| Stage | Year or age | Religious event |
|---|---|---|
| Childhood in Las Vegas | Age 8 | Baptism in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
| Childhood | By age 12 | Family leaves the Latter-day Saints church |
| Adolescence | Age 13 (1984) | First Communion in the Catholic Church |
| Return to Miami | After 1984 | Confirmation in the Catholic Church |
| Early adulthood | 2002 | Lists Catholic in the Florida House Clerk’s Manual |
| Adulthood | 2004 | Lists Baptist in the Florida House Clerk’s Manual |
| Adulthood | 2005 | Begins returning to Catholic roots, per his office’s timeline |
When Did Marco Rubio Leave the Mormon Church?
Marco Rubio’s family left the Latter-day Saints church by the time he was 12, according to his office. ABC News reported in 2012 that he had been baptized at age 8 and remained active for several years. He attended youth groups at the church while his family lived in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Which Church Does Marco Rubio Attend?
Reports from 2010 state that Marco Rubio attended Christ Fellowship, a nondenominational church in West Kendall, Florida, while identifying as Catholic. GetReligion reported in 2012 that his office described the church’s sermons and children’s ministry as reasons he attended. The same report states that he said he attended daily Mass in Washington. Current attendance is not confirmed in these sources.
What Does Marco Rubio’s Official Biography Say?
The U.S. Department of State biography states that Marco Rubio was born in Miami, Florida, in 1971 to Cuban immigrants. His father worked as a banquet bartender. His mother worked as a stay-at-home mom and a hotel maid. The biography lists faith, family, community, and dignified work as values he learned early. The reviewed text does not name a denomination.
What Are the Main Career Milestones of Marco Rubio?
The table below lists 6 career positions held by Marco Rubio. The left column names the position. The right column gives the years served. Sources are the U.S. Department of State, the Miller Center, and CNN.
| Position | Years served |
|---|---|
| West Miami city commissioner | 1998 to 2000 |
| Florida House of Representatives member | 2000 to 2008 |
| Speaker of the Florida House | 2006 to 2008 |
| U.S. senator from Florida | 2011 to 2025 |
| Presidential candidate | 2015 to 2016 |
| U.S. Secretary of State | 2025 to present |
President Donald Trump also named Rubio acting national security advisor on May 1, 2025, while he continued as Secretary of State.
Where Did Marco Rubio Study?
Marco Rubio graduated from South Miami Senior High School in 1989, according to the Miller Center. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida in 1993. He earned a law degree from the University of Miami in 1996.
What Is Marco Rubio’s Family Background?
Marco Rubio is the son of Mario Rubio and Oriales Garcia Rubio, who emigrated from Cuba. He married Jeanette Dousdebes in 1998. The couple has four children. He published his memoir, An American Son, in June 2012, according to CNN.
People Also Ask
Is Marco Rubio Catholic?
Marco Rubio identifies as Roman Catholic and received First Communion in the Catholic Church in 1984.
Is Marco Rubio Mormon?
Marco Rubio is not Mormon, because he was baptized in the Latter-day Saints church at age 8 and his family left by the time he was 12.
When Did Marco Rubio Take First Communion?
Marco Rubio took First Communion in 1984 at age 13, according to his spokesman as reported by ABC News.
What Church Does Marco Rubio Attend?
Reports from 2010 state that Marco Rubio attended Christ Fellowship, a nondenominational church in West Kendall, Florida.
Who Is Marco Rubio’s Wife?
Marco Rubio’s wife is Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio, whom he married in 1998.
What Is Marco Rubio’s Current Position?
Marco Rubio is the 72nd U.S. Secretary of State, a role he has held since January 21, 2025.
Who Is Marco Rubio and What Religion Does He Follow?
Marco Rubio is an American politician and the 72nd U.S. Secretary of State. He follows the Catholic faith. His religious background includes a Latter-day Saints baptism at age 8, First Communion in 1984, and attendance at a nondenominational church in Florida.
His official biography lists faith as a core value from childhood. His public record includes service as a Florida House Speaker, a U.S. senator, and the first Cuban American to serve as Secretary of State.
Sources
- U.S. Department of State: Secretary Marco Rubio official biography
- ABC News: Marco Rubio, Mormon-Turned-Catholic (2012)
- GetReligion: Catholic? Baptist? Mormon? Meet Marco Rubio (2012)
- GetReligion: Is Marco Rubio Really a Catholic? (2010)
- Miller Center, University of Virginia: Marco Rubio (2025- )
- CNN: Marco Rubio Fast Facts