Pope Francis met this morning, Oct. 29, with President Joe Biden as the U.S. leader and his wife, Jill Biden, visit Rome ahead of the President’s participation in meetings and summits with world leaders in Europe.
The Diocese of Grand Rapids’ Office of Communications shares the following statement from Bishop David J. Walkowiak in response to Pope Francis’ meeting with President Joe Biden at the Vatican:
“President Biden is meeting with Pope Francis today while he is in Rome to attend the annual G-20 summit, a gathering of leaders from the world’s most powerful nations. As a religious leader who is also a head of state, the Holy Father routinely meets with world leaders, a practice that has been part of a pope’s job for many years.
Both men agree on many areas of Church teaching that touch upon today’s important issues. I hope that the Holy Father will be able to speak to President Biden as a pastor of souls who is interested in the President’s spiritual welfare in addition to his positions on the important challenges facing our world today.”
View/Download PDF of statement
About the photo: U.S. President Joe Biden greets Pope Francis during a meeting at the Vatican Oct. 29, 2021. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Contact:
Annalise Laumeyer, director of communications
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