// BBC WORLD NEWS — MONDO
Catholic bishops apologise for 'exploited' Trump meeting
A screengrab of a clip from the 22 October meeting at the White House.
Two Catholic bishops in the US have said they regret meeting President Donald Trump at the White House, after images of them praying with him were released and prompted many to ask if they were making a political statement.
Photos and video of the 22 October meeting show a group of bishops standing around Trump at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office.
Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob, one of those pictured, said he had believed the meeting was private and not "a political photo opportunity".
Trump and Pope Leo XIV have a contentious relationship, and some US bishops have criticised the administration's immigration policies. But Trump has typically enjoyed the support of Catholic voters.
In a statement posted online, Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines, Iowa, said the meeting was arranged by officials with the White House Faith Office to discuss issues including immigration, visas for international clergy and the "exploitation of vulnerable poor persons".
"In no way did any of us intend by our involvement to endorse any political party or any individual candidate," Joensen said.
"I wish I had been more shrewd and less simple, like those who exploited our meeting for partisan political purposes," he added.
A video of the meeting was released by Margo Martin, a special assistant to the president and communications adviser who frequently shares behind-the-scenes images of Trump on social media.
Archbishop Grob said that after 90 minutes of meetings with officials, the religious leaders were ushered into the Oval Office to pray with Trump.