Photo Gallery: Easter prayer breakfast at the White House

A who's who of Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox leaders joined President Obama in the East Room of the White House Friday (April 5) for the Easter Prayer Breakfast.

Noel Castellanos, CEO of the Christian Community Development Association, attended the White House Easter Prayer Breakfast in 2013. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks

Adelle M. Banks

April 6, 2013 at 10:41 a.m. ET

A who’s who of Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox leaders joined President Obama in the East Room of the White House Friday (April 5) for the Easter Prayer Breakfast. Obama recounted personal details of his recent trip to the Holy Land, Vice President Biden recalled attending the installation of Pope Francis and Christian clergy from across the country gathered for what has become a tradition for the Obama administration. About 150 faith leaders attended the event. Religion News Service photos by Adelle M. Banks

Click any image below to view photo slideshow.

President Obama speaks at the White House Easter Prayer Breakfast on Friday, April 5, 2013. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks

Vice President Joe Biden speaks at the White House Easter Prayer Breakfast on Friday, April 5. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks

obama breakfast — Washington’s Children of the Gospel Choir sings at the White House Easter Prayer Breakfast on Friday (April 5). RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks

The Rev. Luis Cortes, founder of Esperanza, a Hispanic evangelical faith-based network, was one of about 150 religious leaders at the White House Easter Prayer Breakfast on Friday, April 5, 2013. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks

Bishop Vashti McKenzie of the African Methodist Episcopal Church attended the White House Easter Prayer Breakfast on Friday (April 5). RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks

J. Brent Walker, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, joined other religious leaders at the White House Easter Prayer Breakfast on Friday (April 5). RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks

Joshua DuBois, the former director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, joined other religious leaders at the White House Easter Prayer Breakfast on Friday (April 5). Photo by Adelle M. Banks

Bill Hybels, pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill., was one of about 150 religious leaders at the White House Easter Prayer Breakfast on Friday (April 5, 2013). RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks

Richard Cizik, president of the New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good, attended the White House Easter Prayer Breakfast on Friday (April 5). RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks

Richard Land, former head of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, was one of 150 religious leaders at the White House Easter Prayer Breakfast on April 5, 2013. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks

Program and flowers at the center of a table at the White House Easter Prayer Breakfast on Friday (April 5). RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks

Jim Winkler, general secretary of the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society, talks with National Council of Churches Kathryn Lohre. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks

Bishop John Bryant, senior bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, was one of about 150 religious leaders at the White House Easter Prayer Breakfast on Friday (April 5). RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks

National Association of Evangelicals President Leith Anderson, right, and Florida megachurch pastor Joel Hunter, center, were among the religious leaders at the White House Easter Prayer Breakfast on Friday (April 5). RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks

The Rev. Larry Snyder, CEO of Catholic Charities USA, led an opening prayer at the White House Easter Prayer Breakfast on Friday (April 5). RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks

No paywalls here. Thanks to you.

As an independent nonprofit, RNS believes everyone should have access to coverage of religion that is fair, thoughtful and inclusive. That's why you will never hit a paywall on our site; you can read all the stories and columns you want, free of charge (and we hope you read a lot of them!)

But, of course, producing this journalism carries a high cost, to support the reporters, editors, columnists, and the behind-the-scenes staff that keep this site up and running. That's why we ask that if you can, you consider becoming one of our donors. Any amount helps, and because we're a nonprofit, all of it goes to support our mission: To produce thoughtful, factual coverage of religion that helps you better understand the world. Thank you for reading and supporting RNS.

Deborah Caldwell, CEO and Publisher

Donate today

1	news As polyamory gains visibility, monogamy faces a vote in the Presbyterian Church (USA)
2	news Willy Rice, Florida pastor and abuse crisis skeptic, elected SBC president
3	news Defense Department to drop atheists, pagans, 175 others from list of military faiths
4	news These houses of worship are older than America. How they outlasted wars, schisms and lawsuits.
5	news Kate Bowler on unexpected joy, even in the midst of pain

	Martini Judaism Europe's stained glass is stained with antisemitism Jeffrey Salkin (RNS) — You think that the Middle Ages are history? Not so fast. The same libels against Jews remain with us today.
	The State of Belief "Congregation of the World": Union Seminary's Rev. Dr. Serene Jones Paul Brandeis Raushenbush The first woman president of historic Union Theological Seminary in New York City reflects on her 18 years in the position, and on the state of activism and religious vocation in 2026 America.
	Money Meet Meaning Sacred Assets, Tough Decisions Amber Hacker and Tom Levinson What happens when sacred assets stop preserving the past — and start funding holy disruption?