President Trump Set to Meet With Archbishop Paul Coakley, New Head of U.S. Catholic Bishops

President Donald J. Trump is scheduled to meet tomorrow with Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, the recently elected president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The meeting marks the first formal conversation between the president and the nation's top Catholic leader since Coakley assumed the role in November 2025.

The White House has not released a detailed agenda, but senior aides say the discussion is expected to focus on areas where the administration and the bishops share overlapping concerns - including religious liberty, immigration, pro‑life policy, and the federal government's role in supporting families and faith‑based institutions.

Who Is Archbishop Paul Coakley?

Coakley, 70, has served as Archbishop of Oklahoma City since 2011 and was elected USCCB president in a runoff vote during the bishops' fall assembly last year. Known for his pastoral style and steady leadership, he has long been a prominent voice on issues ranging from abortion and the death penalty to immigration and gender policy.

His background is rooted in decades of ministry and scholarship. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1955, Coakley studied English and Classical Antiquities at the University of Kansas before entering seminary and later earning a Licentiate in Sacred Theology in Rome. He previously served as Bishop of Salina before being appointed to Oklahoma City by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.

Coakley's episcopal motto - Duc in Altum ("Put out into the deep") - reflects his emphasis on evangelization and moral clarity, themes he has carried into his national leadership of the bishops' conference.

What's Likely on the Agenda

While neither side has publicly outlined talking points, several policy areas are expected to surface:

- Immigration and Border Policy: Coakley has previously criticized mass‑deportation efforts and emphasized the dignity of migrants. Trump's renewed enforcement initiatives are likely to be a central point of discussion.

- Abortion and Pro‑Life Legislation: The bishops have consistently described abortion as a "preeminent priority," and Coakley has praised state‑level pro‑life laws in the past. Trump has signaled interest in a national compromise framework, making this a key area for dialogue.

- Religious Liberty: Catholic institutions have raised concerns about federal regulations affecting schools, hospitals, and charities. The administration has indicated openness to revisiting certain rules.

- Gender Policy and Parental Rights: Coakley has been outspoken about the rise of gender ideology and the need to protect children from medical interventions he views as harmful.

- Death Penalty: Coakley has criticized Oklahoma's use of capital punishment, calling it a contributor to a "coarsening of society". This may be an area of respectful disagreement with the administration.

Why This Meeting Matters

For Catholics nationwide - including the nearly 700,000 Catholics across Alabama - the meeting signals how the Trump administration intends to engage with the Church's leadership in its second term. The USCCB remains one of the most influential faith organizations in the country, shaping public debate on life issues, social justice, and moral policy.

A productive relationship between the White House and the bishops could influence legislation, executive actions, and the tone of national conversations on faith and public life.

What Comes Next

Both sides are expected to release statements following the meeting. Observers will be watching closely for signs of alignment or tension, particularly on immigration and social policy. For Archbishop Coakley, the meeting offers an early opportunity to set the tone for his three‑year presidency of the USCCB.

For President Trump, it is a chance to strengthen ties with Catholic voters and faith leaders as his administration advances its policy agenda.