US Catholic bishops regret praying with Trump

Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob and Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines expressed regret regarding a White House meeting on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, that resulted in the public distribution of a photo showing them praying with President Donald Trump.

Archbishop Grob said in a statement that the White House publicized the meeting through photos and video without the consent of the participants. He noted the release occurred less than two weeks before midterm elections and expressed sadness that the act of prayer was manipulated. He said he received many questions and distraught comments following the meeting, which he attended alongside 11 other bishops.

Bishop Joensen said the White House exploited the meeting for partisan political purposes. He stated he wished he had been more prudent and less simple in his approach to the meeting.