Catholic Bishops Regret White House Prayer Photo

Two Catholic bishops say they regret attending an Oct. 22 White House meeting. The White House publicized photos and video of them praying with President Donald Trump.

• 12 bishops attended the meeting, Grob said.
• Grob said participants never gave permission to post the photos or video.
• A Trump War Room account on X posted the prayer video.
• The White House declined to say whether it had the bishops' consent.

Why it matters: The bishops say a private prayer became political material weeks before a national election. Grob said the meeting was "in no way an endorsement of the president, his policies, or his party."

• Grob said he was told the meeting would be private.
• Joensen wrote that others "exploited our meeting for partisan political purpose."
• Grob said some congregants felt harmed by Trump's policies.

How 5 sources split on this story

What’s next: Joensen said he remains open to engaging and praying for political leaders at all levels.

• White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers called Trump the greatest president ever for Catholic Americans. She did not address consent.
• Did the White House tell the bishops it would record the prayer?
• Will the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops take a formal position on the episode?
• Will other bishops who attended comment publicly?