HUD Secretary Scott Turner declared Saturday that "faith is back in our government" as hundreds gathered on the National Mall for the agency’s first-ever faith-based disaster recovery event. 

The faith event, featuring a musical performance with Sean Feucht as part of HUD’s Innovative Housing Showcase, marked a shift in how the federal government engages with Christian organizations.

"After disaster strikes, the devastation can be overwhelming. I’ve met with those impacted, heard their stories, and seen the destruction first-hand," Turner, also an associate pastor, told Fox News Digital in an exclusive statement. 

"In these moments, faith-based organizations are often the first to respond. I’ve witnessed their incredible recovery work: homes built, houses of worship turned into emergency centers and small businesses reopened with support from local churches. Under the leadership of President Trump, faith is back in our government."

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"These [faith-based] organizations are not just filling a gap. They are breathing new life into devastated communities, and HUD’s role is to strengthen their efforts with resources and support needed to recover," Secretary Turner concluded.

The event was held Sept. 6 beginning at 6:00 pm on the National Mall amid strong wind and rain. It featured speeches from faith leaders across the country before closing with worship led by Sean Feucht.

For Feucht, the night represented a dramatic turn. After years of clashing with left-leaning governments in cities like Seattle, he stood in Washington under an official invitation from HUD.

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"God bless America! Last month up in Canada Mark Carney’s Govt did everything he could to keep us from worshipping Jesus…pulling permits, blocking parks, but here in America the Trump Administration is rolling out the red carpet to Christians and giving us a chance to bring worship to the heart of the Capital! God is good!!!" Feucht said in an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital.

Feucht launched his "Let Us Worship" movement in 2020 during COVID lockdowns to protest restrictions on church gatherings. The movement gained traction nationwide but faced repeated backlash.

Canadian cities revoked permits in August 2025. Seattle activists branded his events "malicious harassment and incitement" against the LGBTQ community.

In 2020, Seattle closed Gas Works Park ahead of a scheduled rally, sparking accusations of discrimination against believers. Violence broke out again in May of this year at a Seattle rally, leading to arrests.

Saturday’s event told a different story. HUD placed churches and faith-based responders at the center of its disaster recovery strategy, treating them as partners instead of outsiders.

Speakers included Shayam Menon of HUD’s Center for Faith, Dave Donaldson of the White House Faith Office, Pastor Matthew Barnett of the Dream Center, Scottie Stice of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Luther Harrison of Samaritan’s Purse and Rev. Nathan Newman of Mission to North America. 

"Powerful night with Sean Feucht and Secretary of HUD, Scott Turner," wrote @brag_dc on X. "Jesus was the Star!"

Turner delivered remarks before Feucht closed with a worship set and final words from Pastor Lorenzo Sewell. The National Mall, long a stage for protests and cultural events, hosted worship tied directly to federal leadership.

For Turner, the showcase put churches where he believes they belong, which is at the front of national recovery efforts. For Feucht, it marked the transformation of his movement from rallies of believers to federally-recognized gatherings.

Rain and thunder swept across Washington on Saturday, but worshippers remained. Feucht later posted on social media that the night was "absolutely historic in every way."

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The event tied into HUD’s partnership with the America 250 initiative, commemorating the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday. Both Turner and Feucht used the historic event to send the same message: faith is not only alive but welcomed at the center of American public life.

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Over 1,000 LGBTQ Catholics and their families walked through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica this weekend as part of a Jubilee pilgrimage listed on the Vatican’s official Holy Year calendar. 

The event appeared under the neutral title "Pilgrimage of the Tenda di Gionata Association (Jonathan's Tent) and other associations" for Sept. 6, 2025 on their website.

The listing marks the first time an LGBTQ pilgrimage has been included in the Vatican’s Jubilee program. 

Many pilgrims hailed it as a sign of welcome following Pope Francis’ 12-year papacy, while critics in Catholic media blasted the move as undermining Church tradition.

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Some participants wept as they entered the basilica. "It just felt epic, like I was able to touch the hand of God," Justin del Rosario told the Associated Press, who carried a crucifix across the threshold with his male partner.

Pilgrims came from the U.S., Italy and Brazil. Groups included DignityUSA, Outreach and a delegation of transgenders from Rome.

Many pointed to Pope Francis’ record, from his 2013 remark, "Who am I to judge?" to his decision allowing priests to bless same-sex couples as paving the way for the pilgrimage. While never changing the Church's teaching on homosexuality, Francis met repeatedly with LGBT advocates.

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Pope Leo XIV, only months into his papacy, did not mention LGBTQ Catholics during his Jubilee audience but met privately this week with Jesuit Fr. James Martin, who said the Holy Father echoed Francis’ welcoming message.

Vatican officials stressed that adding the pilgrimage to the calendar was logistical, not endorsement. "They are not sponsored activities. Once it is ascertained that there is space, we insert the pilgrimage into the general calendar," Vatican spokeswoman Agnese Palmucci told Reuters.

Online reaction showed sharp divides.

"Yes, the Vatican’s first LGBTQ+ pilgrimage approved by Pope Francis a few months before his death is taking place this weekend under Pope Leo." posted Pope Crave (@ClubConcrave) on X.

Others condemned it as a betrayal of doctrine. "F--- the Rules inside Saint Peter’s. The LGBT group La Tenda di Gionata makes their entrance into St. Peter’s Basilica today... this is the New Church. Behold the legacy of Pope Francis," wrote Catholic commentator Michael J. Matt (@Michael_J_Matt) on X, posting photos from the basilica.
 

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The Vatican did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.