April 13, Palm Sunday, marked the start of the holiest week of the year for Christians worldwide. President Trump noted the event on Truth Social, citing the week’s importance to the Christian faith. “This Holy Week, Christians around the World remember the Crucifixion of God’s Only Begotten Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and, on Easter Sunday, we celebrate His Glorious Resurrection and proclaim, as Christians have done for nearly 2,000 years, ‘HE IS RISEN!’” wrote the president. He acknowledged the “pain and sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross” as well as “God’s boundless Love and Devotion.” “History was forever changed with the Promise of Everlasting Life,” wrote President Trump. He wished Christians throughout the world a blessed holiday, concluding, “America is a Nation of Believers. We need God, we want God and, with His help, we will make our Nation Stronger, Safer, Greater, more Prosperous, and more United than ever before.”

In a statement released by the White House, President Trump also acknowledged the holiness of the week ahead. “This week is a time of reflection for Christians to memorialize Jesus’ crucifixion—and to prepare their hearts, minds, and souls for His miraculous Resurrection from the dead,” wrote President Trump. “During this sacred week, we acknowledge that the glory of Easter Sunday cannot come without the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross.  In His final hours on Earth, Christ willingly endured excruciating pain, torture, and execution on the cross out of a deep and abiding love for all His creation.  Through His suffering, we have redemption.” He prayed for “an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our beloved Nation” and that “America will remain a beacon of faith, hope, and freedom for the entire world.”

Trump also reiterated his administrations commitment to protecting religious expression in the public square. “This Holy Week, my Administration renews its promise to defend the Christian faith in our schools, military, workplaces, hospitals, and halls of government,” he wrote. “We will never waver in safeguarding the right to religious liberty, upholding the dignity of life, and protecting God in our public square.” Holy Week will be filled with several White House activities, with Jennifer Korn, faith director of the White House Faith Office, stating the week will be “extraordinary.” Wednesday, the President will host an Easter dinner and then host a staff worship service on Holy Thursday. Pastor Paula White, the senior advisor to the White House Faith Office, the Rev. Franklin Graham, Pastor Greg Laurie and Pastor Jentezen Franklin will participate in prayer, scripture, service and communion.