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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Joseph Gedeon in Washington

Catholic bishops accuse Trump White House of turning prayer into campaign photo op

bishops pray around Donald Trump
Catholic bishops, including Jeffrey Grob and William Joensen, pray with Donald Trump at the White House on 22 October 2026. Photograph: @MargoMartin47 via X

Two Catholic bishops who bowed their heads with Donald Trump in the Oval Office now say they regret it, accusing the White House of turning a private prayer into a campaign photo opportunity before next week’s US elections.

Archbishop Jeffrey Grob of Milwaukee and bishop William Joensen of Des Moines, who were among the 12 bishops who met administration officials last Thursday, issued separate statements of regret over the weekend.

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