United States President Donald Trump is set to deliver a public Bible reading from the Oval Office as part of a nationwide religious event, in a move that comes amid a recent feud with Pope Leo XIV.
According to organisers, Trump will participate via video message on April 21 during the “America Reads the Bible” programme, where he is expected to read a passage from the Book of Chronicles.
The development follows a series of religious controversies involving the president, including criticism of the pope over comments on the Iran conflict and backlash over an artificial intelligence-generated image depicting Trump in a Christ-like form, which was later deleted.
The planned reading also highlights the administration’s increasing integration of religious themes into public affairs.
Officials say several senior members of the administration, including Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth, are expected to participate in the event.
Analysts note that while religion has historically influenced American political leadership, the current approach has drawn scrutiny for potentially blurring the line between church and state.
The controversy intensified following Trump’s remarks criticising Pope Leo, whom he accused of being “weak” on key global issues, particularly the Middle East conflict. The pope, in response, said he was not intimidated and would continue to speak out on matters of war and morality.
Experts warn that while religious expression in governance is not new, making it central to state policy could deepen political and societal divisions.
The White House has in recent months encouraged public prayer initiatives and incorporated religious messaging into official communications, reflecting a broader shift toward faith-based rhetoric in governance.
