WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden will meet Pope Francis when he visits the Vatican later this month as part of a five-day tour of Italy and the United Kingdom for global economic and climate change meetings.
Biden plans to discuss the coronavirus pandemic, the climate crisis and poverty during his meeting with the Pope, according to the White House. The meeting will take place on October 29 and Biden will attend the two-day summit of the G20 leaders in Rome, before heading to Glasgow, Scotland, for the UN climate conference known as COP26.
Biden, who is Catholic, often speaks of his faith in public and attends Mass every weekend. But his political views, including his support for gay marriage and abortion rights, have at times put him at odds with Catholic doctrine and sparked controversy and criticism from some leaders of the Catholic Church.
Earlier this year, several Catholic bishops debated denying Biden Communion for his support of abortion rights, but ultimately refrained from setting policy for politicians and the Eucharist.
First Lady Jill Biden will join her husband for his meeting with the Pope.
Biden plans to discuss the coronavirus pandemic, the climate crisis and poverty during his meeting with the Pope, according to the White House. The meeting will take place on October 29 and Biden will attend the two-day summit of the G20 leaders in Rome, before heading to Glasgow, Scotland, for the UN climate conference known as COP26.
Biden, who is Catholic, often speaks of his faith in public and attends Mass every weekend. But his political views, including his support for gay marriage and abortion rights, have at times put him at odds with Catholic doctrine and sparked controversy and criticism from some leaders of the Catholic Church.
Earlier this year, several Catholic bishops debated denying Biden Communion for his support of abortion rights, but ultimately refrained from setting policy for politicians and the Eucharist.
First Lady Jill Biden will join her husband for his meeting with the Pope.