President Donald Trump welcomed Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, to the White House on Monday for a private discussion focused on areas of mutual concern.

The meeting, held on January twelfth, brought together Trump, Archbishop Coakley and senior administration officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance, to explore avenues for constructive dialogue on key social and policy issues that intersect with the Catholic Church’s mission and public priorities.

Archbishop Coakley, who leads the bishops’ conference after his election in November two thousand twenty-five, described the session as an opportunity to begin ongoing engagement with the administration on matters of shared interest.

The conversation is understood to have covered a spectrum of topics, including immigration, pastoral care for migrants and refugees, and broader humanitarian concerns.

These subjects reflect longstanding priorities for the Catholic Church in the United States and align with recent calls from Pope Leo XIV for humane treatment and respect for human dignity in the context of migration.

While the meeting was closed to the press, a spokesperson for the bishops’ conference said Archbishop Coakley appreciated the chance to meet with Mr. Trump, Vice President Vance and other officials and looked forward to future discussions.

The visit marks a noteworthy moment in relations between the U.S. government and Catholic Church leadership following a period of active engagement on issues ranging from religious liberty and social policy to humanitarian outreach.

It also comes amid ongoing public debate over federal immigration enforcement, human rights and how faith-based organisations can partner with government in addressing complex social challenges.

Both sides emphasised their willingness to continue dialogues aimed at promoting the common good and addressing pressing national concerns where values converge.