Sourced fact
The News
Two Catholic bishops in the United States expressed regret after images of them praying with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office were published. According to BBC News, Bishop William Pivonka of Des Moines, Iowa, said the meeting was arranged by the White House Office of Faith-Based Initiatives to discuss issues such as immigration and visas for international clergy. However, Bishop Pivonka expressed regret that the meeting was exploited for partisan political purposes.
Bishop Jeffrey Gropper of Milwaukee confirmed that he was unaware the meeting would turn into a photo opportunity. He stated in an online statement: "I was naïve and ill-prepared, like those who exploited our meeting for political purposes." He added that the published images caused concern among his followers, with some expressing pain over the impact of the president’s policies on their families.
According to a White House statement, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers noted that President Trump is "the best president for American Catholics." However, polls from the Pew Research Center show a decline in Catholic support for Trump, with a recent poll indicating that only 30% of American Catholics support his performance, compared to 47% when he returned to the White House in 2025.
In the context of the upcoming U.S. congressional elections, polls indicate that 42% of Catholics prefer Democratic candidates in the House of Representatives elections, while 39% favor Republican candidates. However, some religious leaders continue to criticize Trump's policies, particularly regarding immigration. For example, Bishop Brendan Cahill and Walter Kim, President of the National Association of Evangelicals, issued a statement urging "Christian compassion and wisdom in the discussion of immigration."
Meanwhile, the Catholic Church in America announced its opposition to the Trump administration’s plan to broadcast executions publicly, which was later rescinded. However, some Catholic leaders have continued to support the president, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, both of whom belong to the Catholic Church.
Analysis & context
Analysis & Context
Analytically, this event reflects the ongoing tension between the Catholic Church and President Trump. While his support among Catholics remains, some bishops have criticized his policies on immigration. These tensions may impact the outcome of upcoming elections.
In a broader context, the Catholic Church plays a significant role in American politics, particularly in issues related to religious rights and immigration.
It is also noteworthy that relations between the White House and the Vatican deteriorated during Trump's second term, with his administration taking stringent actions against illegal immigration.
The News section is based on the original English source excerpt provided for reference, while the Analysis & Context section is a full translation from the Arabic text.
