White House honors Christian faith, resurrection of Christ in Holy Week celebrations

White House officials, pastors and faith leaders gathered in the East Room Wednesday afternoon to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ in one of several Easter celebrations this week.

“Millions of Christians across the country will celebrate Jesus Christ conquering death, freeing us from sin, and unlocking the gates of Heaven for all of humanity, and the President is proud to join Americans during this blessed holiday,” White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers told Fox News Digital.

Bishop Robert Barron and Reverend Franklin Graham offered prayers, and the Free Chapel Choir led attendees in numerous worship hymns, including The Old Rugged Cross.

President Donald Trump spoke for nearly an hour on religious liberty, Holy Week and various worldwide events involving the Christian faith, Barron reported in a post on X following the lunch.

“On Good Friday, the Son of God was nailed to the cross, crucified, and He died for all of us,” Trump said during his remarks. “It was a day of darkness, but it was not the end. On Easter Sunday, the stone was rolled away, and the grave was empty.

“Christians everywhere rejoiced. We continue to rejoice. Easter is one of the incredible days. It was a miracle in all of history: the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Barron said the afternoon was “memorable” and a “privilege” to attend.

“Here’s an opportunity as an American, but also as a Catholic bishop, standing in this venerable historical room, the East Room of the White House, and I just talked about Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and asked the Lord’s blessing on our country and on the President and our troops,” Barron said, calling the time a “powerful moment.”

The lunch is one of several events to honor the Christian faith during Holy Week, in anticipation of “the blessed holiday of Easter,” according to a post from the White House.

After the lunch, the White House invited all staff to a Catholic Mass, celebrated by Father Frank Mann in the Indian Treaty Room. Additionally, a worship service featuring Rev. Franklin Graham, Pastor Jentzen Franklin, Pastor Paula White and White House Faith Office Director Jenny Korn, took place Thursday, according to Fox.

“President Trump will never waver in safeguarding the right to religious liberty, upholding the dignity of life and protecting faith in our public square,” Rogers told Fox.