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Catholic bishops say they regret taking a meeting with Trump
CNN • • nation
Key Points:
- Two Catholic bishops expressed regret over attending a prayer meeting with President Trump in the Oval Office, stating they were "exploited" and manipulated for partisan political purposes just weeks before the midterm elections.
- Archbishop Jeffrey Grob and Bishop William Joensen apologized for inadvertently participating in what appeared to be a political event and emphasized that the meeting was not an endorsement of Trump or his policies.
- The White House released photos and videos of the 12 clergy members praying over Trump, contrasting with Pope Leo XIV's efforts to keep the Catholic Church apolitical, as the pope has avoided political partisanship and will not visit the U.S. during the 2026 midterms.
- Trump praised the meeting and has maintained support among some Catholic voters, although recent polls show his backing has declined; the White House defended his record on religious rights and abortion-related issues.
- The release of the footage was criticized by the bishops and raised concerns about the use of clergy images for political gain, with no clear indication the clergy consented to public distribution.
