President Joe Biden was seen leaving the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Washington, DC, Georgetown neighborhood, on Sunday, after his first participation in the mass since taking office.
Present with Biden was his son, Hunter, and two of his grandchildren, Finnegan and Maisy. The president, in a brief conversation with reporters, said the service was “lovely”.
The Holy Trinity, located just a few miles from the White House, is where the nation’s first Catholic president, John F. Kennedy, used to go to mass and where Biden, the nation’s second Catholic president, often loved it when he was vice president.
THE HEAD OF THE BIDEN INSISTS TRUMP ADMIN TEAM HAS NO VACCINE PLAN
White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Friday that Biden had not yet decided on a local church in the nation’s capital, but said he hoped Biden would continue to attend services regularly during his presidency. Biden has many parish options in Washington to choose from, with four Catholic churches located less than 2 miles from the White House.
At home in Delaware, Biden and his wife, Jill, were regulars at St. Joseph on Brandywine in Greenville. They alternated between Saturday and Sunday services, depending on their travel schedules throughout the 2020 campaign.
In addition, Biden and his family, along with Democratic and Republican Congressional leaders, attended a religious service at St. Matthew’s Cathedral, the Apostle, on the morning of Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday. The church hosted Kennedy’s funeral in 1963.
HUNTER BIDEN, UNDER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION, APPEARS ON THE WHITE HOUSE ORAYER SERVICE
After Sunday’s religious service, the Biden men were also seen in Call Your Mother Deli. Biden remained in his armored vehicle while Hunter took the order, according to WUSA9.
“What a BIG Sunday surprise! I am thrilled to have an administrator again who will love everything DC has to offer – starting with sesame bagels !!”, wrote the popular bagel store on Twitter. “Come back anytime@Joe Biden. “
HUNTER BIDEN APPEARS FOR INAUGURATION CEREMONIES BETWEEN FEDERAL PROBE, SAYS ‘TUDO BEM’
Hunter’s appearance with his father occurs when the president’s son is under a federal Department of Justice investigation related to his finances.
A government source told FOX News in December that the federal investigation was based in part, by Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), on suspicious transactions abroad that another source said were related to transactions involving China and other foreign countries.
In December, Hunter Biden acknowledged the investigation, but said he addressed his affairs “legally”.
“I take this matter very seriously, but I am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I have dealt with my matters in a legal and appropriate manner, including with the benefit of professional tax consultants,” he said at the time.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP
Biden will likely continue to see small crowds wherever he goes, while the coronavirus continues to increase in the capital. For the time being, District of Columbia rules limit meetings in houses of worship to 25% capacity or 250 people, whichever is less.
Past presidents have made a wide variety of worship choices – if any. Not far from the White House is New York’s Presbyterian Avenue, which maintains the bank where Abraham Lincoln adored. Even closer is the Episcopal Church of St. John, which can be traversed by Lafayette Square from the White House for presidents who have done a historic worship practice there at least once.
St. John’s made headlines this summer, when police forcibly dispersed protesters so that President Donald Trump could pose with a Bible outside his yellow doors. But its status as the “Church of Presidents” dates back to James Madison, and is used to the special scrutiny that accompanies commander-in-chiefs. Trump, who often spent Sundays at his eponymous golf club in northern Virginia, did not attend church regularly.
President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary, became members of the Foundry United Methodist Church, a short distance from the White House, which also had the 19th president, Rutherford. B. Hayes, as a member.
President Jimmy Carter, who during his life after the presidency taught in Sunday school, worshiped dozens of times at Washington’s First Baptist Church during his time at the White House.
Ronn Blitzer, Brooke Singman and Fox News’ The Associated Press contributed to this report.