On Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced that President Biden had not been invited to Thursday’s funeral of Pope Benedict XVI, and the U.S. ambassador to Italy will represent America at the funeral.
It is unclear why Biden was not invited. However, Biden is a self-proclaimed Catholic who also supports abortion, and Jean-Pierre said the lack of invitation was due to the wishes of the late pope himself.
“The U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Joe Donnelly, will represent the United States at the funeral of the Pope, in line with the wishes of the late Pope and the Vatican,” Jean-Pierre said. “This is what — this is what their requests were. This is what their wishes were.”
Pope Benedict died on December 31 at age 95. He had stepped down as pope in 2013 and was succeeded by Pope Francis, but maintained the title of pope emeritus.
President Biden responded to Pope Benedict’s death in a statement, saying, “Jill and I join Catholics around the world, and so many others, in mourning the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. I had the privilege of spending time with Pope Benedict at the Vatican in 2011 and will always remember his generosity and welcome as well as our meaningful conversation.”
It is unclear why Biden was not invited. However, Biden is a self-proclaimed Catholic who also supports abortion, and Jean-Pierre said the lack of invitation was due to the wishes of the late pope himself.
“The U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Joe Donnelly, will represent the United States at the funeral of the Pope, in line with the wishes of the late Pope and the Vatican,” Jean-Pierre said. “This is what — this is what their requests were. This is what their wishes were.”
Pope Benedict died on December 31 at age 95. He had stepped down as pope in 2013 and was succeeded by Pope Francis, but maintained the title of pope emeritus.
President Biden responded to Pope Benedict’s death in a statement, saying, “Jill and I join Catholics around the world, and so many others, in mourning the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. I had the privilege of spending time with Pope Benedict at the Vatican in 2011 and will always remember his generosity and welcome as well as our meaningful conversation.”
Original Article: President Biden Won’t Be Representing U.S. At Pope Benedict’s Funeral, Per ‘Wishes Of The Late Pope And The Vatican’ | The Jeffrey Lord
