UPDATED 10:55 AM EST, January 16, 2013
WASHINGTON (AP) — The pastor of the Episcopal parish closest to the White House will give the benediction at President Barack Obama's inauguration.
The Rev. Luis Leon of St. John's Church has been chosen for the honor. He replaces Atlanta megachurch pastor Luis Giglio. Giglio bowed out last week after a sermon he gave years ago surfaced in which he criticized the gay rights movement. A spokeswoman for the Presidential Inaugural Committee said the person chosen to give the prayer would reflect the administration's beliefs.
