Biden’s Show of Faith at Pope’s Funeral: Genuine Belief or Political Maneuver?
Joe Biden, the former US President, and his wife, the ex-First Lady Jill Biden, are slated to attend the upcoming funeral rites of Pope Francis, scheduled for April 26 in Vatican City. The event is marked by its significance as the first occasion to find Bidens and Trumps in the same vicinity since the inauguration on January 20. On doubting the sincerity behind Biden’s outwardly devout Catholic faith, observers might recall an overseas trip to Rome planned during the twilight days of his presidency. Notably though, LA’s unfortunate wildfire crisis took precedence, and the meeting with the Pope was canceled.
Biden’s interactions with Pope Francis had been limited before, with only two instances where they crossed paths: the G7 summit in Italy in 2024 and the G20 summit in Rome in 2021. Interestingly, less than a week ago, Biden stood on a platform and strongly criticized Trump for his actions towards Social Security Administration workers – a clear display of his questionable political strategy. Pope Francis, aged 88, suffered a stroke and died on April 21. His body lies at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, a ramp-up to the funeral rites.
The funeral service for the globally revered figure, located at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, is set to commence at 10 a.m. local time, equivalent to 4 a.m. ET on April 26. The enormity of the mourning population is such that more than 200,000 attendees are predicted, all congregated at the emblematic St. Peter’s Square, directly preceding the basilica. Despite the gravity of the situation, Biden’s attendance in such a sacred event is muddled by his political past and controversy-ridden service.
Biden, who follows a Catholic faith tradition, prides himself on being the only following president after JFK’s 1960 election. A consistent presence at the mass is also evidenced in the former president’s frequent visits to St. Joseph on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church located in Greenville throughout his presidency and during his time in Senate. However, to many, these consistent appearances could very well be subtle political maneuvering rather than the reflection of heartfelt faith.
After tragic events unfolded in 1972, Biden’s first wife, Neilia, and his infant daughter, Naomi, were sadly claimed by a fatal traffic accident in December. The All Saints Cemetery located off Kirkwood Highway became their final resting place, but the graves were later shifted to the cemetery belonging to St. Joseph’s, further lending to Biden’s ostentatious display of Catholic faith.
Further tragedy came in May 2015, when Biden’s older son, Beau, succumbed to cancer and was laid to rest at St. Joe’s. Others might perceive this persistent association with the church, including attending services at St. Edmond’s Roman Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach during vacation periods, as an attempt to uphold the Catholic narrative and appeal to churchgoing voters.
It’s notable how, during his inauguration in January 2021, Biden made sure to place a 5-inch family Bible embellished with a Celtic cross – a prop that had been in the family since 1893 – right in the center. Each time Biden took the oath, the Bible would reappear, but it’s difficult to overlook the potential for this to be merely a performative gesture rather than genuine reverence.
However, Biden’s actions and beliefs contradict his overtly pious image. The former president has been rebuked by several Catholic leaders for his stance on women’s reproductive rights. Though Biden frequently attends Mass and identifies as Catholic, his support for abortion openly clashes with the beliefs of the Catholic Church, making it tough to overlook the dissonance between Biden’s public and personal principles.