The White House meeting and the bishops’ meeting

A group of United States bishops met at the White House last Thursday for a meeting that included Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance. Video released by White House communications personnel shows the bishops praying over President Donald Trump. During the prayer, Archbishop James Golka of Denver prayed for the United States, its government, and national protection against evil, though he did not mention the president by name.

The meeting has caused debate among some Catholics regarding its propriety. Bishops have provided conflicting accounts of how the meeting was arranged, and it remains unclear how many expected to meet the president or to pray over him.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has not placed a discussion of the gathering on the agenda for its fall plenary meeting next month. However, the conference is expected to be a forum for expressing the views of Pope Leo XIV on the matter.