Biden Set to Mourn: Attend Pope Francis's Funeral

( The Hill ) — Former President Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden are expected to attend Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome on Saturday, a Biden spokesperson told NewsNation , The Hill’s sister station, on Friday.

Biden, who was the country’s second Roman Catholic president after former President John F. Kennedy, met with Pope Francis on numerous occasions after he became the Catholic church’s leader in 2013, including in a private one-on-one visit between the two in 2021 a few months after the former Democratic president took office.

“He was unlike any who came before him,” Biden wrote in a post on the social media platform X just hours after the pope died On Monday, "Primarily, he was a Pope for everybody. He was the Pope of the people—a beacon of faith, hope, and love."

The pioneering Catholic figure renowned for his commitment to human rights and incisive political commentary passed away on April 21 at the age of 88, residing in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. He had been battling numerous health issues linked to a persistent lung condition over an extended period before succumbing to his illness. the Vatican announced. .

Trump and First Lady to Attend Pope Francis' Funeral

The pope was first admitted to the hospital on February 14 due to bronchitis. contracted pneumonia Four days afterward, he stayed in critical condition for several more days. Although he didn't completely recover, he then experienced a stroke that resulted in a coma; eventually, his heart gave out, as per official statements.

President Donald Trump along with First Lady Melania Trump are also among world leaders anticipated to be present at the event funeral Saturday morning . The president ordered flags at half-mast earlier this week to commemorate the pope.

Francis is the most recent pontiff to pass away while still in office after two decades, following the demise of Pope John Paul II in 2005. His passing will initiate the procedure for selecting a successor as pope. wrought with tradition .

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This content must not be republished, rebroadcasted, rewritten, or distributed without permission.

To stay updated with the most recent news, weather forecasts, sports updates, and live streams, visit KFOR.com for Oklahoma City.