Biden receives ashes at Georgetown for Ash Wednesday

President Biden received ashes at Georgetown University on Wednesday to mark the Christian holy day of Ash Wednesday.

According to the White House, Biden received ashes from the Rev. Brian O. McDermott, S.J. at Georgetown University’s Wolfington Hall. He was greeted by the Rev. Ronald Anton, S.J. Biden was not seen publicly receiving ashes.

The trip Wednesday morning demonstrates Biden’s effort to continue his traditions as a Catholic while president. Biden is only the second Catholic president in U.S. history, after John F. Kennedy.

Biden regularly attended Mass at his home parish in Wilmington, Del., during the campaign and transition, and plans to continue his tradition of attending Sunday Mass while at the White House.

Biden over his two prior weekends in the district attended Mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown, a church that he frequented while serving as vice president under former President Obama’s administration.

Biden’s trip to the service was not mentioned on his public schedule issued by the White House and reporters who traveled with Biden as part of the pool did not glimpse him as he left Georgetown to travel back to the White House. The trip was brief, lasting under an hour.

Biden and Vice President Harris are expected to meet with labor leaders in the Oval Office later Wednesday afternoon to discuss the president’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief proposal as well as his infrastructure plan.