As the Lenten season begins, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have extended their greetings to Catholics and other Christians, calling for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. In a statement issued on March 5, the president and first lady shared their reflections on this sacred time, stating, “This Ash Wednesday, we join in prayer with the tens of millions of American Catholics and other Christians beginning the holy season of Lent – a time of spiritual anticipation of the passion, death and Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,” according to the White House website.
Their message emphasized the traditional Lenten practices that help the faithful deepen their relationship with God. “During the Lenten season, Christians spend 40 days and 40 nights praying, fasting and giving alms to deepen our faith and strengthen our belief in the Gospel,” the statement read. The Trumps also highlighted the significance of Ash Wednesday itself, explaining that “followers of Christ wear crosses of ash on their foreheads – a sacred reminder of our mortality and our enduring need for Christ’s infinite mercy and redeeming love.”
In observance of Ash Wednesday, a Catholic Mass was celebrated for White House staff in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. According to the Catholic News Agency (CNA), an internal email from the White House Management Office invited staff to participate, stating, “Staff who observe are welcome to attend.”
Melania Trump, who grew up in Slovenia when it was part of Yugoslavia, is reported to be a practicing Catholic. Her faith was notably acknowledged in 2017 when she visited Pope Francis at the Vatican and followed traditional protocol by wearing a mantilla.
During his 2024 re-election campaign, President Trump actively courted Catholic voters, recognizing their significant influence in American politics. His administration has taken strong stances on religious liberty, pro-life policies, and other issues important to many Catholic voters. According to Catholic Herald, Trump’s engagement with Catholic communities may have contributed to his successful campaign.
While discussions about Trump’s relationship with Pope Francis remain uncertain due to the Pope’s hospitalization on February 14, both leaders have issued Lenten messages this year. As Catholic Herald noted, “this year has seen both a pope and US president issuing out Lenten messages – a combination that is far from assured in the secular era of modern politics.”
The president and first lady concluded their message with a blessing for all Americans: “We offer you our best wishes for a prayerful and enriching Lenten season. May Almighty God bless you, and may He continue to bless the United States of America.”
With the season of Lent now underway, their message serves as a reminder of the call to spiritual renewal and preparation for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection at Easter.
