Joe Biden holds lengthy meeting with Pope Francis as abortion debate rages in US
- The US president’s private meeting with the pope at the Vatican lasted about 90 minutes, an unusually long time for an audience with the pontiff
- Critics say Biden, who is personally opposed to abortion, should be banned from receiving communion
The Vatican said the private meeting lasted one hour and 15 minutes and then about another 15 minutes were spent for picture taking and the exchange of gifts in the presence of other members of the delegation, such as Biden’s wife, Jill.
Both the White House and Vatican statements made no direct reference to the abortion issue.
It said Biden thanked the pope for “his advocacy for the world’s poor and those suffering from hunger, conflict, and persecution”. Biden also praised the pontiff’s “leadership in fighting the climate crisis, as well as his advocacy to ensure the pandemic ends for everyone through vaccine sharing and an equitable global economic recovery”.
The Vatican said the two discussed “care of the planet”, health care, the pandemic, refugees, migrants, and “the protection of human rights, including freedom of religion and conscience”.