Former US President Joe Biden has arrived at the Vatican for Pope Francis’s funeral this morning, assisted down the steps by his wife Jill and a priest.
Biden was among the first prominent figures to arrive at St Peter’s Square, seen walking hand-in-hand with Jill Biden.
He is one of dozens of current and former world leaders attending the funeral, including presidents, prime ministers, and members of European royalty.
Biden will be joined by his former political rival Donald Trump, who arrived in Rome with his wife Melania late last night.
Joe Biden has arrived at the Vatican for Pope Francis’s funeral this morning, assisted down the steps by his wife Jill and a priest
REUTERS
Their attendance will mark the first time the Bidens and the Trumps have been in the same place since the January 20 inauguration.
Joe Biden- a Catholic- had originally planned to visit Rome and meet Pope Francis during the final days of his presidency, but the trip was canceled due to the wildfires in Los Angeles.
It would have been his last overseas visit as president.
Biden later met Pope Francis in 2024 while attending the G7 summit in Italy, and previously in 2021 during the G20 summit in Rome.
More to follow…
REUTERS
