Spiritual, not spooky. After Halloween, Christians observe All Saints' Day

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — It's the time of year — tradition says — when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is lifted.

That traditional belief has morphed over the centuries into the spooky and secular celebration of Halloween.

But on Friday, Christians in many countries around the world are celebrating All Saints' Day, a somber and spiritual day in the church's liturgical calendar that shares pagan roots with Halloween.

The word “Halloween” derives from “All Hallows Eve,” which means the eve of All Saints’ Day, a holiday that has also been known as All Hallows. It honors martyrs and saints — those who were hallowed, or deemed holy — a tradition begun by the Roman Catholic church in the early medieval period.

Scholars believe that the spectral aspects of Halloween emerged primarily from Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival that occurred during the harvest season, said Morgan Shipley, a professor of religious studies at Michigan State University in East Lansing.

It was a time when people were “transitioning from harvest and bounty and the fullness of summer to the desolation of winter,” he said. “And it was said that in this time the veil between the physical, material human world and the spiritual world essentially dissipates away.”

Some of the spirits or spectral beings were viewed as demonic in nature, and bonfires became a way to ward them away, or were used in divination by druid priests and priestesses when the veil between the material and spiritual world broke down, he said.

As Christianity spread, many pagan rituals were adapted to the new faith to be more attractive to converts. The period of reflecting on the dead continues though Nov. 2, which is All Souls’ Day.

In Central Europe, the Slavic and Baltic populations had their own rituals in which the living communed with the dead between Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.

Believers and non-believers alike in many traditionally Roman Catholic societies observe the day.

Finka Heynemann, 34, visited Warsaw's Brodno cemetery on Friday morning with her mother. The two had plans to visit six cemeteries in Warsaw over three days — even though they are not religious.

“It's just important to keep the tradition and visit the graves and to respect and honor ancestors,” Heynemann said.

“This day is more important than Christmas or Easter," added her mother, Maja Gąssowska, who paused to drop money in a collection box for a Polish cemetery in the Ukrainian city of Lviv, which was once part of Poland.

In Poland, many travel back to their family homes to gather with those still living and reflect on those who have left them.

So many people observe the holiday that cemeteries are transformed into flickering carpets of light so impressive that even the most secular cannot help but feel moved. Cities, including Warsaw and Krakow, run additional tram and bus lines to ferry the huge numbers to — and between — cemeteries.

While the reflections are mostly personal, people also leave candles at the graves of national heroes. So many people visit cemeteries at the same time that the celebration takes on a communal quality.

It has become so much part of the wider culture in Poland that people visit Orthodox Christian, Jewish and Muslim cemeteries as well.

In the Philippines, millions visited the tombs of their loved ones on Friday.

“Even if I’m old, I still visit the tombs of my relatives, especially my husband’s, during All Saints’ Day," said Manila resident Dory Oliquino, who was among thousands arriving with flowers and candles at the Manila North Cemetery in the country's capital. “As long as I can walk, I will visit him.”

Italians traditionally visit cemeteries to light candles or lay flowers to pay tribute to deceased family members on All Souls' Day, this year falling on Saturday. Pope Francis will visit Rome’s third-largest cemetery, the Laurentino Cemetery, to celebrate Mass and lead prayers for the dead. The pope visited the same cemetery in 2018, stopping to pray in an area dedicated to fetuses.

In recent years as the holiday approaches, there are discussions about Halloween and its compatibility with Christian beliefs in the afterlife.

Poles began to celebrate Halloween after the fall of communism in 1989, but some worry that the foreign cultural import could eventual dilute the tradition of All Saints' Day. Some Catholics worry that it also might be sinful due to allusions to devils and ghosts. Pushing back, some church groups have begun holding alternative events for All Saints’ Day.

This week, a church group organized the 3rd All Saints’ Ball in the Polish town of Plock, according to a Catholic news site, Niedziela — meaning Sunday — which reported that “the children came dressed as saints and blessed of the Catholic Church and as angels.”

Associated Press writers Colleen Barry in Milan and Basilio Sepe in Manila, Philippines, contributed to this report.

A woman walks between gravestones carrying flowers in the Almudena cemetery during All Saints Day, a Christian holiday to reflect on the saints and deceased relatives, Madrid, Spain, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul White)

A man lights a candle at a grave on All Saints' Day, a time for reflecting on those who have died, in Zakroczym near Warsaw, Polan, on Friday Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Candles burn in All Saints' Day, a time for reflecting on those who have died, on Friday Nov. 1, 2024, in Zakroczym near Warsaw, Poland. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Candles burn on All Saints' Day, a time for reflecting on those who have died, on Friday Nov. 1, 2024, in Zakroczym near Warsaw, Poland. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

People observe All Saints' Day, a time for reflecting on those who have died, on Friday Nov. 1, 2024, in Zakroczym near Warsaw, Poland. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

A woman stands in front of a grave in the Almudena cemetery during All Saints Day, a Catholic holiday to reflect on the saints and deceased relatives, Madrid, Spain, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul White)

A chrysanthemum is placed on a tombstone during All Saints Day, in Rome, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP)

A woman walks in a cemetery on the occasion of All Saints Day, in Rome, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP)

In this handout photo provided by the Malacanang Presidential Communications Office, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., left, and his mother former First Lady Imelda Marcos, right, pose as they visit the tomb of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos at the National Heroes Cemetery in Taguig City, Philippines on All Saints Day on Friday Nov. 1, 2024. (Malacanang Presidential Communications Office via AP)

People make their way at a crowded Manila's North Cemetery, Philippines as the nation observes All Saints Day on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Women place candles on the half-submerged tomb of family members at flood-prone Holy Spirit Memorial Park in Masantol, Pampanga province, Philippines after heavy rains from recent tropical storm Trami caused water to become higher than usual, ahead of All Saints Day, Thursday Oct. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

A man walks on top of submerged tombs at flood-prone Holy Spirit Memorial Park in Masantol, Pampanga province, Philippines after heavy rains from recent tropical storm Trami caused water levels to become higher than usual ahead of All Saints Day, Thursday Oct. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

People visit the tomb of family members at flood-prone Holy Spirit Memorial Park in Masantol, Pampanga province, Philippines after heavy rains from recent tropical storm Trami caused water levels to become higher than usual ahead of All Saints Day, Thursday Oct. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Tombs are submerged at flood-prone Holy Spirit Memorial Park in Masantol, Pampanga province, Philippines after heavy rains from recent tropical storm Trami caused water to become higher than usual, ahead of All Saints Day, Thursday Oct. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

People prepare for All Saints' Day at the cemetery in Zakroczym, near Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

People prepare for All Saints' Day at the cemetery in Zakroczym, near Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

People prepare for All Saints' Day at the cemetery in Zakroczym, near Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

People prepare for All Saints' Day at the cemetery in Zakroczym, near Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Women place candles on the half-submerged tomb of family members at flood-prone Holy Spirit Memorial Park in Masantol, Pampanga province, Philippines after heavy rains from recent tropical storm Trami caused water levels to become higher than usual ahead of All Saints Day, Thursday Oct. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Tombs are submerged at flood-prone Holy Spirit Memorial Park in Masantol, Pampanga province, Philippines after heavy rains from recent tropical storm Trami caused water to become higher than usual, ahead of All Saints Day, Thursday Oct. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

People visit apartment-type tombs of their departed loved ones in at a crowded Manila's North Cemetery, Philippines as the nation observes All Saints Day on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

People visit apartment-type tombs of their departed loved ones at Manila's North Cemetery, Philippines as the nation observes All Saints Day on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

A woman hands over a flower to her daughter as she climbs to reach the apartment-type tomb of their loved one at Manila's North Cemetery, Philippines as the nation observes All Saints Day on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

A family gathers in front of the tomb of their loved one at Manila's North Cemetery, Philippines as the nation observes All Saints Day on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

A family lights candles as they visit the tomb of their departed loved one at Manila's North Cemetery, Philippines as the nation observes All Saints Day on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

A man lights candles at the tomb of departed loved ones at Manila's North Cemetery, Philippines as the nation observes All Saints Day on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

A woman stands in between apartment-type tombs at Manila's North Cemetery, Philippines as the nation observes All Saints Day on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Gloria Obrado Baer lights candles at the tomb of her brother at Manila's North Cemetery, Philippines as the nation observes All Saints Day on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's photo portrait display at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery has had references to his two impeachments removed, the latest apparent change at the collection of museums he has accused of bias as he asserts his influence over how official presentations document U.S. history.

The wall text, which summarized Trump's first presidency and noted his 2024 comeback victory, was part of the museum's “American Presidents” exhibition. The description had been placed alongside a photograph of Trump taken during his first term. Now, a different photo appears without any accompanying text block, though the text was available online. Trump was the only president whose display in the gallery, as seen Sunday, did not include any extended text.

The White House did not say whether it sought any changes. Nor did a Smithsonian statement in response to Associated Press questions. But Trump ordered in August that Smithsonian officials review all exhibits before the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4. The Republican administration said the effort would “ensure alignment with the president’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions.”

Trump's original “portrait label," as the Smithsonian calls it, notes Trump's Supreme Court nominations and his administration's development of COVID-19 vaccines. That section concludes: “Impeached twice, on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection after supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, he was acquitted by the Senate in both trials.”

Then the text continues: “After losing to Joe Biden in 2020, Trump mounted a historic comeback in the 2024 election. He is the only president aside from Grover Cleveland (1837– 1908) to have won a nonconsecutive second term.”

Asked about the display, White House spokesman Davis Ingle celebrated the new photograph, which shows Trump, brow furrowed, leaning over his Oval Office desk. Ingle said it ensures Trump's “unmatched aura ... will be felt throughout the halls of the National Portrait Gallery.”

The portrait was taken by White House photographer Daniel Torok, who is credited in the display that includes medallions noting Trump is the 45th and 47th president. Similar numerical medallions appear alongside other presidents' painted portraits that also include the more extended biographical summaries such as what had been part of Trump's display.

Sitting presidents are represented by photographs until their official paintings are commissioned and completed.

Ingle did not answer questions about whether Trump or a White House aide, on his behalf, asked for anything related to the portrait label.

The gallery said in a statement that it had previously rotated two photographs of Trump from its collection before putting up Torok's work.

“The museum is beginning its planned update of the America’s Presidents gallery which will undergo a larger refresh this Spring,” the gallery statement said. “For some new exhibitions and displays, the museum has been exploring quotes or tombstone labels, which provide only general information, such as the artist’s name.”

For now, references to Presidents Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton being impeached in 1868 and 1998, respectively, remain as part of their portrait labels, as does President Richard Nixon's 1974 resignation as a result of the Watergate scandal.

And, the gallery statement noted, “The history of Presidential impeachments continues to be represented in our museums, including the National Museum of American History.”

Trump has made clear his intentions to shape how the federal government documents U.S. history and culture. He has offered an especially harsh assessment of how the Smithsonian and other museums have featured chattel slavery as a seminal variable in the nation's development but also taken steps to reshape how he and his contemporary rivals are depicted.

In the months before his order for a Smithsonian review, he fired the head archivist of the National Archives and said he was firing the National Portrait Gallery's director, Kim Sajet, as part of his overhaul. Sajet maintained the backing of the Smithsonian's governing board, but she ultimately resigned.

At the White House, Trump has designed a notably partisan and subjective “Presidential Walk of Fame” featuring gilded photographs of himself and his predecessors — with the exception of Biden, who is represented by an autopen — along with plaques describing their presidencies.

The White House said at the time that Trump himself was a primary author of the plaques. Notably, Trump's two plaques praise the 45th and 47th president as a historically successful figure while those under Biden's autopen stand-in describe the 46th executive as “by far, the worst President in American History” who “brought our Nation to the brink of destruction.”

Barrow reported from Atlanta.

People react to a photograph of President Donald Trump on display at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery's "American Presidents" exhibit on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Visitors to the National Portrait Gallery walk past the portrait of President Donald Trump, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Visitors stop to look at a photograph of President Donald Trump and a short plaque next to it are on display at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery's "American Presidents" exhibit on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

A photograph of President Donald Trump and a short plaque next to it are on display at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery's "American Presidents" exhibit on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Anna Johnson)

President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with oil executives in the East Room of the White House, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)