Catholic voters mirror broader national trends, according to analysts, with polling showing a shift toward Democrats and a sharp divide between white Catholics (who lean Republican) and Hispanic Catholics (who lean Democratic). Trump’s declining support among Catholics can be attributed to economic concerns, immigration policies and his criticism of Pope Leo XIV.

“I think he has become an influence not because he’s been explicitly political, but because he has emphasized Catholic social teaching and reminded Catholics, including Catholic voters in the U.S. that Catholic social teaching is a part of the teaching of the Church,” says Margaret Susan Thompson, professor of history and political science.

“So for example, when he talks about things like how we treat the poor, how we treat the stranger, including the immigrant, how we think about the death penalty, how we think of war and peace—What’s a just war? Is there such a thing as a just war?—All of these really, really difficult questions, he’s reminding Catholics that this is not optional,” she says.

Read more in the OSV News article, “Washington Letter: Catholic voters likely reflect broader voter trends, with unique factors.”