Fox News primetime host Sean Hannity announced on his program last week that he has left the Catholic Church, saying he no longer identifies as Catholic and now considers himself simply a Christian. Hannity attributed his departure primarily to what he described as longstanding “institutionalized corruption” within the Church, spanning from local parishes to the highest levels in Rome.
“As of today, I no longer consider myself a Catholic. I am a Christian,” Hannity told viewers during the April 16 episode of his Fox News show. “I left the Catholic Church in large part due to the institutionalized corruption, and it was at the parish level, to the bishop level, cardinals, all the way to Rome.”
Hannity did not cite specific recent incidents but pointed to what he called persistent scandals and misconduct that he believes were never fully addressed. “Frankly not only unchecked, they never fully corrected it or dealt with it,” he said. He further criticized some Vatican leaders, stating they had “totally lost the true meaning of the Bible and its teachings.”
The comments come against the backdrop of escalating public tensions between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff. The exchange intensified after the pope’s remarks on U.S. policy regarding the conflict involving Iran. Trump responded sharply on Truth Social, writing, “Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy.” He also accused the Catholic Church and other Christian organizations of failing to sufficiently challenge COVID-19 era restrictions on worship services.
In reply, Pope Leo told reporters he had “no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do.” The back-and-forth has drawn widespread attention across political and religious communities.
During his broadcast, Hannity offered a personal reflection on his deep roots in the Catholic faith. “Like millions of Americans, I was raised Catholic. I went to Catholic school for 12 years,” he said. “I even attended a seminary in high school, studied theology, Latin, went to Mass daily. I got a lot out of it.”
He acknowledged the positive role his upbringing played in his life despite his decision to leave the institution. “My parents were devout Catholics, and while I wasn’t particularly engaged at the time in the teachings of the Catholic Church, as a young person, it certainly entered my consciousness,” Hannity explained. “It made me a better person and has been a positive force in my life in so many ways.”
Hannity suggested that current Church leadership has strayed from core biblical teachings. He also referenced the ongoing public disagreement between Trump and Pope Leo, noting that the pontiff appeared to be “enjoying a public fight” with the president.
Hannity’s announcement has sparked renewed conversation about faith, institutional trust, and the relationship between personal belief and organized religion. While distancing himself from Catholicism as an institution, he made clear that Christianity continues to inform his worldview and values.
The development highlights broader cultural debates in the United States, where many individuals navigate tensions between longstanding religious traditions and contemporary institutional criticisms. Hannity, a prominent conservative voice, has long discussed the influence of faith in public life, though his break with the Catholic Church marks a notable personal and public shift.
As of now, Hannity has not indicated plans to affiliate with a specific Christian denomination, emphasizing a broader Christian identity. The story continues to resonate among his audience and in religious circles, reflecting ongoing questions about accountability, leadership, and spirituality in modern America.
