By Tyler Arnold
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Apr 15, 2025 / 16:52 pm
The White House has announced plans for the Christian Holy Week leading up to Easter, which will include a Wednesday dinner and a Thursday religious service with Christians from a variety of communities.
President Donald Trump on Palm Sunday kicked off Holy Week with comments acknowledging Jesus Christ’s “excruciating pain, torture, and execution on the cross” and the gift of redemption and the forgiveness of sins merited through his suffering and death. He added that “through his resurrection, we have hope of eternal life.”
Trump urged prayers for “an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our beloved nation” and for the intention that the United States will “achieve a future that reflects the truth, beauty, and goodness of Christ’s eternal kingdom in heaven.”
Jennifer Korn, director of the White House Faith Office, told CNA that Catholics and Christians from a variety of Protestant communities are expected to be in attendance for the Holy Week events.
To celebrate Holy Week, the White House on Wednesday will hold a dinner and prayer service, which will be livestreamed online. On Thursday, the White House will host a prayer and worship service, which will include Christian hymns performed by musicians associated with Liberty University, a private Christian school.
Korn said Trump is hosting these events to ensure that Holy Week is “honored with the observance that it deserves.” She said the various events are “engaging with America in the way that America celebrates Easter.”
Trump’s motivation for the celebrations
The 2025 Holy Week celebrations are also more robust than the events Trump held during his first administration.
When it comes to his second administration, President Trump is showing a different kind of resolve, according to Jennifer S. Korn, the White House Faith Office Director.
One key moment that impacted Trump’s beliefs was the assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024. Korn shared that Trump openly talks about how he believes God spared his life for a reason – to serve as president once again and to lead America towards a better future.
“He’s been very transparent about that day — both publicly and privately — saying that it changed his life and he truly does believe that God spared his life to be president again and to really bring America back,” Korn said.
She also mentioned Trump’s deep appreciation and humility stemming from this near-death experience. In both public and private conversations, Trump expresses his belief that God intervened to save him that day.
Moreover, Trump has decorated the Oval Office with symbolism of protection and guidance. Korn shared that the president placed two gold angels in the office, explaining that they are there to watch over and safeguard the work of his administration.
