Pope Francis told President Joe Biden that he should keep receiving Communion. This news comes amid criticism from conservative U.S. bishops, who claim Biden’s support for abortion rights and same-sex marriage should warrant a denial of Communion.
While meeting with the Pope, Biden reportedly did not bring up the topic of abortion in their 90-minute session. “We just talked about the fact he was happy that I was a good Catholic and I should keep receiving communion,” Biden said.
The White House stated: “Biden thanked His Holiness for his advocacy for the world’s poor and those suffering from hunger, conflict, and persecution. He lauded Pope Francis’ 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.”
Biden has described Francis as “the most significant warrior for peace I’ve ever met.”
Francis’s warm reception of Biden contrasts his meeting with former President Donald Trump, whom he met with for just 30 minutes in 2017.
