Catholic Bishops Say Trump Used Their Mar-a-lago Visit for Politics
WHO:
Alternet - Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez, who presides over the Diocese of Palm Beach, said the Catholic Church does not endorse or support political candidates or parties.
Alternet - Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob and Des Moines Bishop William Joensen said the White House used or manipulated a meeting and prayer with President Trump.
Alternet - Denver Archbishop James Golka said he was “heartbroken” by how the meeting was perceived and that the video’s release was never intended as an endorsement.
CNN - Twelve clergy members, including Grob and Joensen, attended the Oval Office meeting with President Trump. Trump’s longtime faith adviser, Paula White-Cain, also attended.
CNN - White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers defended Trump’s record on religious rights, anti-abortion activists, gender-identity care for children, and parents’ rights.
WHAT:
Alternet - Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez said the Church’s mission is to proclaim the Gospel “in full communion with our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, and the College of Bishops.”
CNN - Trump said he wanted Pope Leo XIV to “get well” after the pope was diagnosed with lung cancer, adding that the prognosis “seems to be good.”
CNN - The White House released photos and video showing 12 clergy members praying around Trump, who sat at the Oval Office desk with his head bowed.
CNN - Grob said the meeting did not endorse Trump, his policies, or his party; he said he did not know it was being recorded, that the bishops had not authorized public distribution, and apologized for any harm caused by his participation.
CNN - Joensen said the meeting was “exploited” for “partisan political purposes,” regretted attending, and said, “I wish I had been more shrewd and less simple.”
Alternet - Rodríguez said prayers or blessings undertaken in the Church’s name that appear to endorse a candidate are expressions of individual political preference and conflict with its nonpartisan mission.
CNN - Trump called the meeting “great” and said, “They mostly prayed.”
CNN - Pope Leo XIV has urged bishops to avoid political partisanship and has spoken about immigration enforcement, the war in Iran, and AI regulation.
WHERE:
CNN - The meeting took place in the Oval Office.
Alternet - The Diocese of Palm Beach includes Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
WHY:
CNN - Trump said the pope’s eldest brother, Louis, is a MAGA supporter and “a friend of mine.”
CNN - The bishops objected after the White House publicly distributed images of their prayer meeting close to a national election, creating concern that their participation could appear political.
Alternet - The White House invitation offered discussion of immigration enforcement, religious-worker visas, abortion, and federal tax credits for private education.
CNN - Pope Leo XIV’s decision not to visit the United States was described as largely related to the midterm elections.
HOW:
Alternet - Rodríguez posted his statement on X.
CNN - Grob said the meeting was recorded without his knowledge and that the clergy had not given permission for the footage and images to be publicly distributed.
(UPDATED October 26, 2026 21:03 UTC)
Several Catholic bishops said a White House video of them praying with President Trump in the Oval Office risked making the meeting look like a political endorsement, and some regretted taking part. Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob said he didn’t know the meeting was being recorded and apologized for any harm, while Des Moines Bishop William Joensen said the gathering was exploited for partisan purposes; Denver Archbishop James Golka said the video’s release was never meant as an endorsement. The White House defended Trump’s record on religious rights and other issues, while Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez stressed that the Church does not support candidates or parties and that prayers appearing to endorse one conflict with its nonpartisan mission.
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(UPDATED October 26, 2026 20:08 UTC)
The White House released photos and video of 12 clergy members praying around President Trump in the Oval Office, prompting several bishops to say the meeting was not an endorsement and that they had not agreed to public distribution of the footage. Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob said he didn’t know the meeting was being recorded, while Des Moines Bishop William Joensen regretted attending and said the gathering had been exploited for partisan purposes; Denver Archbishop James Golka said he was heartbroken by how it was perceived. Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez stressed that the Catholic Church does not support political candidates or parties, while Trump called the meeting great and said the clergy mostly prayed.