US Conference of Catholic Bishops says not linked to Trump prayer event

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 22: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media o the South Lawn before departing the White House on October 22, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Trump is traveling to Iowa to stump for midterm candidates with 12 days until Election Day. Aaron Schwartz/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Aaron Schwartz / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on Thursday told AFP it was not linked to a group seen in a video praying with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.

“This was not something that the USCCB organized. It is not affiliated with the Conference. I have no further information,” said a spokesperson for the organization, Chieko Noguchi, to AFP.

On Thursday an aide to the US president, Margo Martin, shared a video showing the president seated at his desk, flanked by clergy wearing collars.

One had his hand on the president’s shoulder and prayed aloud.

“Catholic Archbishops and Bishops pray with President Trump in the Oval Office,” captioned Martin in her post on X, including a heart emoji.

The White House later confirmed to AFP that the president had met with a dozen Catholic faith leaders, including the archbishops of Denver, Milwaukee and Kansas City.

The Trump administration’s relationship with the Catholic Church has been fraught, particularly regarding the policy of deporting migrants.

Trump, who enjoyed support from the Christian right during his most recent presidential campaign, has held several prayer gatherings similar to Thursday’s event, including with evangelical pastors.