Catholic Bishops Apologize After Praying Over Trump in Oval Office Video

A recent meeting in the Oval Office where a dozen U.S. Catholic bishops prayed over then-President Donald Trump has led to apologies from some of the participating prelates, who contend the event was exploited for political gain. The gathering occurred on Thursday, October 22, 2026, less than two weeks before the midterm elections, and footage of the prayer was subsequently shared by the White House on social media.

Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob and Des Moines Bishop William Joensen were among those who expressed regret, stating they felt manipulated and that the private prayer was turned into a campaign photo opportunity without their consent. They emphasized that their participation was not an endorsement of the President or his policies. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) also clarified that it was not involved in organizing the meeting.

The bishops had reportedly attended the meeting, arranged by the Heritage Foundation, to discuss issues such as immigration and human dignity. In response to the controversy, a White House spokeswoman asserted that there has "never been a greater president for Catholic Americans than President Trump."