Catholic bishops apologise for 'exploited' Trump meeting
Two US Catholic bishops have expressed regret over a meeting with President Donald Trump, stating they were misled into believing it was a private discussion rather than a political photo opportunity. The bishops emphasized that their involvement was not intended as a political endorsement.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing tension between religious leadership and political figures, particularly regarding the optics of faith-based endorsements in a polarized election cycle.
Image source, x.com/MargoMartin47 Image caption, A screengrab of a clip from the 22 October meeting at the White House.
Two Catholic bishops in the US have said they regret meeting President Donald Trump at the White House, after images of them praying with him were released and prompted many to ask if they were making a political statement.
Photos and video of the 22 October meeting show a group of bishops standing around Trump at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office.
Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob, one of those pictured, said he had believed the meeting was private and not "a political photo opportunity".
Trump and Pope Leo XIV have a contentious relationship, and some US bishops have criticised the White House's immigration stance. Trump won the support of 55% of Catholic voters in 2024, a Pew study found.
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2 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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