President Donald Trump declared that his administration is “bringing religion back to America” during remarks at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday, just hours after the Vatican announced Pope Francis’s death.
“Easter is special, and it’s one of our favorite days. It’s one of our favorite periods of time. We’re honoring Jesus Christ,” Trump, joined by first lady Melania Trump and the Easter Bunny, said from the South Portico of the White House. “We’re bringing religion back in America. We’re bringing a lot of things back, but religion is coming back to America. That’s why you see the kind of numbers that you see.”
.@POTUS: "We're honoring Jesus Christ and we're going to honor Jesus Christ very powerfully throughout our lives … not just now, all throughout our lives."
pic.twitter.com/aS6QIDBY5G
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 21, 2025
Before diving into the Easter festivities on the South Lawn, Trump paused to honor Francis.
“He was a good man, worked hard, he loved the world,” the president said, announcing that he ordered U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff in tribute to Francis, who died earlier in the day.
The Vatican confirmed the pope’s death just one day after he greeted crowds in St. Peter’s Square following Easter Mass and met with Vice President JD Vance. The pope’s passing added a somber note to an otherwise festive event.
When she entered the White House in 2017, Melania Trump became the first Catholic first lady since Jacqueline Kennedy.
Trump’s remarks added to the growing theme of faith he adopted following the assassination attempt he survived last year.
“I believe that my life was saved that day in Butler for a very good reason,” he said during a joint session of Congress this year. “I was saved by God to make America great again. I believe that.”
On Easter Sunday, Trump shared a traditional holiday message on Truth Social: “May this day be full of Peace and Joy for all who celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. HE IS RISEN!!”
He also used the holiday to deliver a political message, criticizing the constant barrage of legal assaults aimed at halting his immigration efforts.
TRUMP ORDERS FLAGS LOWERED FOR POPE FRANCIS TO HALF-STAFF TO HONOR ‘GOOD MAN’
“Happy Easter to all, including the Radical Left Lunatics who are fighting and scheming so hard to bring Murderers, Drug Lords, Dangerous Prisoners, the Mentally Insane, and well known MS-13 Gang Members and Wife Beaters back into our Country,” Trump said.
“Happy Easter also to the WEAK and INEFFECTIVE Judges and Law Enforcement Officials who are allowing this sinister attack on our Nation to continue, an attack so violent that it will never be forgotten!” he added.
