Catholic Ministry Leader Bishop Robert Barron to Attend Trump’s Congressional Address

EXCLUSIVE: Bishop Robert Barron, the founder of the Catholic media organization Word on Fire, will attend President Donald Trump's joint address to Congress on Tuesday night. The invitation, extended by freshman Representative Riley Moore (R-W.Va.), signals a blend of faith and politics at a high-profile national event.

Rep. Moore, who also invited Barron to celebrate a Catholic Mass for lawmakers before the address, praised the bishop's work in a statement shared with Fox News Digital. "Through Word on Fire, Bishop Barron has helped countless souls discover, strengthen, or return to the Catholic Church by proclaiming the Gospel ‘through the culture.’ His use of contemporary media to reach people is innovative and highly effective," Moore stated. "I am honored to host him as my guest for President Trump’s joint address to Congress, and am equally thrilled to have him celebrate the Mass for my colleagues and me prior to the speech."

Bishop Barron, who serves as the bishop of the Diocese of Winona–Rochester in Minnesota, expressed gratitude for the invitation. Calling himself a "student of history," Barron acknowledged the significance of his role at the event. "I want to express my sincere gratitude to Representative Riley Moore for his kind invitation to celebrate Mass for Catholic members of Congress and to attend, as his guest, the State of the Union Address," Barron shared in a statement.

Barron is known for his dynamic approach to spreading Catholic teachings, using digital platforms to engage a modern audience. His Word on Fire ministry has attracted widespread attention for its ability to connect faith with contemporary culture—an approach that has made him a prominent figure within the Church.

Tuesday night will also mark President Trump’s first address to a joint session of Congress since beginning his second term in office. According to senior adviser Jason Miller, the speech will touch on extending the 2017 tax cuts, boosting funding for border security, advancing the U.S. space program with an eye on Mars, and strengthening the nation’s position in the artificial intelligence race against China. Trump also plans to address reversing the high cost of living and maintaining global peace through "respect and strength."

Bishop Barron's presence at the event adds a layer of spiritual reflection to an evening that promises to be heavy on political strategy and national priorities. His participation in both the Mass and the address underscores the intersection of faith and governance—a relationship as old as the nation itself.