Catholic bishops regret White House meeting with Trump over political use

About twelve Catholic bishops met President Trump at the White House on October 24, 2026. They discussed immigration and other policy issues with officials for ninety minutes, then prayed with Trump in the Oval Office. A White House communications adviser later released video and photos of the prayer without telling the bishops first. The release came less than two weeks before the midterm elections. Two bishops, from Milwaukee and Des Moines, said publicly that they regretted the meeting being used this way. They said it was not meant as political support for any party. Catholic bishops traditionally try to stay neutral in politics. Both bishops said they also pray with leaders at many other levels of government.