A senior official in the Trump administration made an open gesture of Christian faith in a recent TV interview. 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio was speaking to Fox News about the Israel-Gaza conflict when he appeared with an ash cross emblazoned across his forehead. 

The symbol is common for Christians to display on Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, and is an outward indication that they belong to Jesus Christ and are mourning for their sins

The response to seeing Rubio adorned in holy ashes triggered mixed responses from viewers.

Some were not happy with the display, with one X user commenting: "Marco Rubio wearing the Ash Wednesday cross as he talks about slaughtering human beings in Gaza? Grotesque."

Another suggested that "he blatantly echoed Russian propaganda".

However, some embraced Rubio's interview, writing: "We are seeing a very clear culture shift in America. Thank you, Marco Rubio, for letting your faith shine!"

Another X user commented: "Marco Rubio not afraid to show his faith on TV - what a great example to us all."