President Biden conferred with Pope Francis in a meeting that highlighted a growing divide within the Catholic Church over the president’s policies that are out of line with church doctrine.
The meeting occurred Friday on the sidelines of the Group of 7 summit in Italy, featuring the leaders of the world’s seven largest economies. The pope is also hosting meetings with other leaders at the summit, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Earlier, Pope Francis gave a speech about the ethical implications of artificial intelligence.
Mr. Biden and the pope kept their meeting private by closing it to reporters. The White House, though, released a statement on Friday.
“The leaders emphasized the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and a hostage deal to get the hostages home and address the critical humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” the White House said in its statement. “President Biden thanked Pope Francis for the Vatican’s work to address the humanitarian impacts of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, including his efforts to help return kidnapped Ukrainian children to their families. President Biden also reaffirmed his deep appreciation for the Pope’s tireless advocacy for the poor and those suffering from persecution, the effects of climate change, and conflict around the world.”
Mr. Biden, who is the nation’s second Catholic president, attends Mass regularly and has advocated policies the church largely supports, including ending the death penalty, combating climate change and reducing poverty.
But Mr. Biden also takes positions that violate church teachings, such as his drive to expand access to abortion and promote gay and transgender lifestyles.
The ideological schism was evident in the 2020 election results, where Catholics evenly split between Mr. Biden and former President Donald Trump.
Some Catholics have criticized Mr. Biden for not adhering completely to church doctrine. In 2021, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops considered denying the Eucharist — one of the most sacred sacraments in the church — to pro-choice politicians.
Ultimately, the bishops relented. In a 2021 meeting, Pope Francis told Mr. Biden that he was a Catholic in good standing and could keep receiving the Eucharist.
Mr. Biden has expressed anger over those who have criticized his refusal to embrace all of the church’s teachings.
“The next Republican that tells me I’m not religious, I’m going to shove my rosary down their throat,” he famously said in 2007.
Pope Francis and Mr. Biden have known each other since 2013. As vice president under President Barack Obama, Mr. Biden led the American delegation to Pope Francis’ inauguration.
In 2015, after Mr. Biden’s elder son, Beau, died, Pope Francis held a private audience with the Biden family when he visited Philadelphia.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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