Who could ever imagine a President keeping a select White House group out of a Pentagon Good Friday celebration? That is what happened in the US this year.
The 3,500 White House staff members received a reminder about the anticipated Good Friday service, but it underlined that there would be no Mass for Catholics. The service was to take place at the Pentagon’s chapel.
A statement from a Pentagon spokesperson indicated that the scheduled service was a “Protestant service”. Incidentally, the Pentagon’s memorial chapel ordinarily accommodates staff of different faiths, with each faith having sufficient room for meditation, worship, or other relevant activities.
Could Hegseth be Sending a Message to the Pope?
On Palm Sunday, Pope Leo XIV criticized the US for its bloodshed in the ongoing war with Iran, declaring that God does not heed the prayers of people who perpetrate violence against others.
Although the Pope did not name anyone, listeners could not help but think of the US War Secretary, Pete Hegseth, as one of his targets. Hegseth is notorious for conducting prayers at the Pentagon, seeking success in the US violence against specific targets.
It is thought that the Pope’s criticism led Hegseth, whose docket the Pentagon falls under, to bar White House Catholics from celebrating Mass together on Good Friday. Hegseth is an evangelical with far-right beliefs.