Catholic bishops accuse Trump of using a filmed prayer to create the impression of electoral support

Relations between U.S. President Donald Trump and the Catholic Church have reached a new level of tension after the White House published a video showing 12 bishops praying for him in the Oval Office, shortly before the midterm elections.

Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob, who attended the meeting, said the bishops had been invited for discussions on immigration and visas for religious personnel at a gathering organized by the Heritage Foundation. After the meeting, the clerics were reportedly escorted to the Oval Office, where Trump allegedly welcomed them and asked them to sit behind him and pray. Grob maintains that the participants did not consent to being filmed or to the publication of the footage, and that the meeting did not represent political support.

Denver Archbishop James Golka also expressed regret over the way the video was perceived. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops distanced itself from the event and urged voters to reject messages based on fear and division.

The White House defended Trump’s relationship with Catholic voters, citing his policies on religious freedom and parental rights. In 2024, Trump received 55% of the Catholic vote, but analysts estimate that their support could decline amid his immigration policies and tensions with Pope Leo.