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VATICAN CITY (RNS) — With surveys showing declining support among Catholics for President Donald Trump and Republicans as a whole, 12 Catholic bishops offered the president an image of support this week.

On Oct. 22, twelve days before the midterms, several Catholic bishops prayed over Trump, extending their hands on him as he bowed his head in the Oval Office.

Archbishop James Golka, who was tapped by Pope Leo XIV to lead the Archdiocese of Denver in February, led the prayer thanking God for the nation, the government and the presidency.

“We lift up our president and ask your blessing upon him,” Golka said as the bishops laid hands on Trump, asking the Holy Spirit to “protect us against any influence of evil.”

Archbishop James R.…