WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden will journey to Italy in January for a gathering with Pope Francis in what is going to doubtless be the ultimate worldwide journey of his time period.
The White Home stated Biden spoke with the pontiff on Thursday and accepted his invitation to go to the Vatican subsequent month, a little bit greater than every week earlier than President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Biden’s journey will happen Jan. 9-12. The lame duck U.S. chief will meet individually with the pontiff on Jan. 10, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the White Home stated.
The president will talk about efforts to advance peace around the globe, White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated.
In his conferences with Italian leaders, Biden will spotlight the energy of the U.S.-Italy relationship, thank Meloni for her sturdy management of the Group of Seven, or G7, over the previous 12 months and talk about different challenges going through the world, Jean-Pierre stated.
Biden, a religious Roman Catholic, met with Pope Francis earlier this 12 months whereas he was in Italy for the G7 summit. The president additionally met the pontiff in 2021 when he was in Rome for the Group of 20, or G20, summit.
Biden, the nation’s second Catholic president, has come below fireplace from some Catholics over his help of abortion rights and same-sex marriages. Some conservative bishops have argued that leaders who maintain these views ought to be denied communion. Biden advised reporters after their assembly in 2021 that Pope Francis stated he ought to proceed to obtain communion.
Throughout their dialog on Thursday, Biden spoke with the pope about efforts to advance peace around the globe in the course of the vacation season. The president thanked the pope his continued advocacy to alleviate world struggling, together with his work to advance human rights and shield non secular freedoms, the White Home stated.
Michael Collins covers the White Home. Comply with him on X @mcollinsNEWS.
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