The primary problem is not with Mr. Trump’s past sins, it is that the policies he currently supports are inconsistent with his claim in his address today that “every life is sacred.”

Sheik Ahmad el-Tayeb, the grand imam, hosted a meeting Jan. 17-18 with Christian and Muslim clerics and political leaders from 86 countries in reaction to President Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Leading Democrats and LGBT groups immediately denounced the move, saying "conscience protections" could become a license to discriminate, particularly against gay and transgender people.

During their tenure in office, President Ronald Reagan, President George H.W. Bush and President George W. Bush all addressed the march via telephone or a radio hookup from the Oval Office.

Earlier on Friday, the Vatican’s newspaper called the president’s remarks “harsh” and “offensive.” Later, a senior official for the U.S. bishops conference released a statement highlighting the racial elements of Mr. Trump’s comments.

The Vatican newspaper noted media reports that President Donald Trump "used particularly harsh and offensive words about immigrants" from several countries.