White House-sponsored nine-hour prayer vigil
Photo: Alex Brandon /AP/TT

White House-sponsored nine-hour prayer vigil on the National Mall ahead of America's 250th birthday

Sunday's White House-sponsored nine-hour prayer vigil, featuring speakers including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Speaker Mike Johnson, is intended to unite Americans in prayer and thanksgiving ahead of America's 250th birthday on July 4.

The prayer festival is being held on the National Mall, near the White House in Washington, D.C., where a huge stage with the text "Rededicate 250" has been set up, according to media reports.

The prayer service is being organized by Freedom 250, a White House-backed group that stages “patriotic events.” Its website says Americans of “all backgrounds” are welcome, but NPR notes that 18 of the 19 prayer leaders are Christian - the 19th is a Jewish rabbi.

The prayer meeting comes just weeks after Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself as Jesus, a post that drew strong criticism and resulted in a dispute with Pope Leo.

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AuthorTT News AgencyEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for our readers

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