Bishops Regret White House Prayer Session

Two United States Catholic bishops expressed regret on Sunday regarding their recent visit to the White House. The apology followed the public release of photographs and video footage from a prayer session with President Donald Trump. The images show the religious leaders standing around the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office.

The meeting took place on October 22. Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines, Iowa, stated that White House Faith Office officials arranged the visit. The agenda included discussions on immigration, visas for international clergy, and the exploitation of vulnerable poor persons. Joensen clarified that the group did not intend to endorse any political party or individual candidate through their presence.

Joensen described the situation in an online statement. He said, "I wish I had been more shrewd and less simple, like those who exploited our meeting for partisan political purposes." He attributed the controversy to those who used the encounter for partisan goals rather than the bishops themselves.

The video was released by Margo Martin, a special assistant to the president and communications adviser. Martin frequently shares behind-the-scenes images of Trump on social media. Archbishop Jeffrey Grob of Milwaukee, who was also pictured, said he believed the meeting was private. He stated it was not a political photo opportunity.

Grob explained that after 90 minutes of meetings with officials, the group was ushered into the Oval Office to pray. He noted that none of the participants gave permission for the public distribution of the video or photos. Grob said he began receiving messages of serious concern from congregants after the images appeared. He noted that some felt wounded because their families had been harmed by the president's policies.

Grob wrote that the timing created concern about inadvertently participating in a political event. The national election is scheduled for November 3. According to Pew Research Center data from this month, Trump's approval rating among US Catholics has slipped. Currently, 30% of US Catholics approve of his job performance. This is a drop from 47% when he returned to the White House in 2025.

The survey indicates that 42% of Catholics prefer Democratic candidates in local House of Representatives races. Slightly fewer, at 39%, favor Republicans in those contests. The White House did not directly address the bishops' comments when contacted by the BBC. White House Spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said in a statement that Trump has a strong record for Catholic Americans.