President Biden visited the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See, the Vatican’s diplomatic mission, in Washington on Thursday to supply his condolences following the loss of life of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
Mr. Biden, a Catholic, informed Vatican officers it was a “nice honor” earlier than writing a private observe in a condolence ebook for the pontiff.
Benedict, who turned the Pope to resign in 600 years, died Saturday on the Vatican. He was 95.
The previous pope was buried Thursday after a service in St. Peter’s Sq. overseen by Pope Francis.
Joe Donnelly, the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, represented the US on the funeral. The White Home mentioned Tuesday that the association was on the Vatican’s request.
Mr. Biden has, at instances, been at odds with church leaders over his assist of abortion rights, which has change into firmer in recent times.
As head of the Vatican’s doctrine workplace in 2004, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who later turned Pope Benedict XVI, advocated for denying communion to politicians that persistently assist abortion.
Mr. Biden, who met with Benedict on the Vatican in 2011, mentioned when phrase of the pope’s loss of life unfold that he would “all the time keep in mind his generosity and welcome in addition to our significant dialog” and hoped the late prelate’s “give attention to the ministry of charity continues to be an inspiration to us all.”
“Could his give attention to the ministry of charity proceed to be an inspiration to us all,” Mr. Biden mentioned.