Biden makes appeal for peace at National Prayer Breakfast

President Biden made an appeal for peace amid war in Gaza and in Ukraine on Thursday.

“Not only do we pray for peace, we are actively working for peace, security and dignity for the Israeli people and the Palestinian people,” Biden said in remarks at the annual National Prayer Breakfast on Capitol Hill.  

The president said he’s engaged in work to bring hostages home amid the conflict, to ease the humanitarian crisis and to bring “enduring peace” to Gaza and Israel, “just as we’ve worked for peace, security and dignity for the Ukrainian people as they show incredible resolve and resilience against Putin’s aggression.” 

“The challenge of our times reminds us of our responsibility as a nation to help each other. Just and lasting peace — deliver it abroad and here at home,” Biden said.

Singer Andrea Bocelli sang “Amazing Grace” during the breakfast, and Biden, seated next to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), appeared to wipe his eye with a tissue in the middle of it. 

Biden looked on as Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) read prayers from the Old Testament, and as Senate Chaplain Barry Black gave the keynote address. 

The president spoke for roughly 10 minutes from the National Statuary Hall.

Biden, a devout Catholic, also said his prayer for this prayer breakfast is that “we continue to believe our best days are ahead of us.” 

“That as a nation, we continue to believe in honesty, decency, dignity and respect. We see each other not as enemies, but as fellow human beings, each made in the image of God,” Biden said.

Alex Gangitano contributed.