Why did Trump actor and secretary appear with black crosses on their forehead?

The signal is made by a priest or minister of the Catholic Church during the Ash Mass. Their imposition is a Catholic sacramental and, as such, they undergo a blessing before being received by the faithful.

The cross on the forehead is made from ashes, hence the name of the date. These ashes are obtained from the burning of the palm, olive trees or willows used by the faithful at the celebration of the Sunday of Ramos (which marks the day of the entry of Jesus in Jerusalem, a week before his resurrection) from the previous year.

The cross is not always made on the forehead. In some parishes, priests prefer to put them on the head of the believer and are therefore not easily identifiable by those who did not participate in the liturgy. That is, this is not necessarily a public statement or manifestation of faith; The original purpose of the signal is another (see below).

Not all Protestants also celebrate the date or impose the ashes. Only a few denominations such as Anglican and Lutheran maintained the tradition of the Catholic Church.

What does the cross on the forehead mean?

This is a symbol of penance. During the imposition of the ashes, Catholics hear from the priest or minister a call to remember that “the dust came and will return to the dust” (Genesis 3:19) and to convert and receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. In practice, this means the abandonment of sin, the repentance of their faults and the commitment to a Christian life.