Trump to Read Bible Verse from Oval Office After Feud with Pope

The president's latest move to integrate Christianity into government business sparks concerns over separation of church and state.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 9:45am

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A photorealistic painting of a Bible resting on the Oval Office desk, with warm sunlight casting deep shadows across the room, conveying a sense of solemnity and contemplation.The president's scheduled Bible reading from the Oval Office sparks concerns over the blurring of church and state.Washington Today

President Donald Trump is scheduled to participate in a public Bible reading this week, marking the latest step in an administration effort to integrate Christianity into official government business. On April 21, the president will read 2 Chronicles 7:11-22, including verse 14 which calls for people to humble themselves and pray so that God may heal their land. The event is part of a weeklong initiative titled 'America Reads The Bible' and will feature several high-ranking officials.

Why it matters

The scheduled reading comes amid a period of religious tension, including a recent feud between Trump and Pope Leo over the conflict in Iran. The current administration's approach represents a potential shift in the American executive tradition, as past leaders have allowed personal faith to shape their goals, but the concern now is the transition toward prescribing religious doctrine as a normative or mandatory standard for the entire nation.

The details

Since returning to office last year, the administration has taken several steps to reduce the separation between church and state. The White House has asked Americans to pray for one hour per week, and official government social media accounts have featured Christian imagery and Bible verses. At the Pentagon, Secretary Pete Hegseth has actively infused religion into official business, including inviting a pastor who supports Christian theocracy to lead a prayer service.

  • On April 21, the president is scheduled to read Scripture via a video message from the Oval Office during the 6 p.m. EST hour.
  • Following his 2016 victory, evangelist Anne Graham Lotz described the win as a sign that God was answering the prayers mentioned in 2 Chronicles 7:14.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States.

Pope Leo

The current Pope of the Catholic Church.

Susie Wiles

The White House Chief of Staff.

Marco Rubio

The United States Secretary of State.

Pete Hegseth

The United States Secretary of Defense.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not a fan of Pope Leo, and I have no fear of the Trump administration.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

“I have no fear of the Trump administration.”

— Pope Leo, Pope of the Catholic Church

What’s next

The administration may continue to expand the presence of religious mandates within federal agencies, which could lead to further friction with international religious leaders or continued debate over the role of faith in public policy. Depending on the reception of the 'America Reads The Bible' event, the White House may introduce more coordinated religious initiatives involving cabinet-level officials.

The takeaway

The current administration's approach to integrating Christianity into official government business represents a potential shift in the American executive tradition, raising concerns over the separation of church and state and the prescription of religious doctrine as a normative or mandatory standard for the entire nation.