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Aboard Air Force One back in January, President Joe Biden found himself reflecting on the challenges he faced in the final days of his administration. He had a personal aspiration: to meet with Pope Francis one last time before leaving office. However, circumstances beyond his control began to thwart his plans for this significant meeting.

Biden, who once contemplated a religious vocation and takes deep pride in his Catholic faith, has interacted with three Popes during his extensive political career, starting with Pope John Paul II in 1980. Yet, it is Pope Francis with whom he has cultivated the most profound connection. Following the untimely death of his son Beau Biden in 2015, the Pope provided solace and counsel to the Biden family as they navigated their public grief over the loss of their beloved son. During a six-day tour of the United States that summer, Biden frequently found himself close to the Pope. Just a year later, the President attended a cancer conference held at the Vatican, further solidifying their bond. A photo of Pope Francis is displayed among family pictures on Bidens desk in the Oval Office, symbolizing the personal regard he has for the pontiff. The two have kept in touch through phone calls, checking in on each other when time permits.

As Biden returned from a California trip marred by devastating wildfires, he joined aides in a meeting discussing his imminent three-day trip to Europe. This journey was intended to culminate in a surprise presentation of the Presidential Medal of Freedomthe highest civilian honor in the United Statesto Pope Francis. However, the escalating crisis on the West Coast rendered Bidens departure politically unfeasible. Upon his return to the White House that evening, he made the difficult decision to cancel the planned trip, originally set to commence the following day. In a poignant conversation on January 11, he informed Pope Francis of the change in plans and conveyed that the honor would instead be delivered by the Vatican's diplomatic representatives in Washington. This final exchange weighed heavily on Biden, according to insiders who were privy to the discussions.

Now, the notion of Pope Francis is once again on Biden's agenda, but this time under drastically different circumstances. The beloved leader of the worlds 1.4 billion Catholics passed away on Monday, following a prolonged hospitalization due to pneumonia. As the second Catholic President in American historya position he takes seriously, as he still attends Mass most weekendsBiden is expected to attend Francis funeral. However, navigating the political implications of this attendance could prove complex, especially given the tensions between Biden and the Popes more recent successors. The funeral of a Pope, particularly one as historic as Franciswho was the first from the Americas and the first Jesuitis a major diplomatic event. Its comparable to the funerals of global icons such as Nelson Mandela or a British monarch, requiring a carefully measured approach, an area where the current administration has faced challenges.

The relationship between Donald Trump and Pope Francis was fraught from the outset of Trumps first presidential campaign. Trump openly criticized the Pope, suggesting he was weak and even accused him of providing a pathway for ISIS to infiltrate the Vatican. During the 2016 South Carolina primary, tensions escalated, with Francis questioning Trumps Christian faith and Trump retaliating by labeling the Pope a pawn of the Mexican government. Although their initial skirmishes set a contentious tone, their first official meeting during Trumps inaugural foreign trip went relatively smoothly. However, Pope Franciswho was born in Buenos Aires to an Italian family escaping fascismdid not shy away from criticizing Trumps hardline immigration policies. He famously stated, Builders of walls sow fear, during a visit to Panama, emphasizing the moral implications of such policies.

The discord continued during Trumps presidency, particularly around border issues. In a recent remark, Tom Homan, a top Trump adviser on immigration, lambasted the Pope as hypocritical for advocating open borders while maintaining a wall around the Vatican. Trumps nominee for Ambassador to the Vatican, Brian Burch, has a history of being a vocal critic of the Pope, creating further tension in the diplomatic relationship. On the other hand, Bidens interactions with Pope Francis have been characterized by a sincere humility. He often refers to Francis as a good Catholic in discussions with his priest friends back home. Their last meeting was intended to be a mutual acknowledgment of the challenges both men face in an often unsupportive political landscape.

Biden's advisers have noted that he and the Pope would occasionally engage in informal conversations, offering each other spiritual support. In a December call, for instance, Pope Francis urged Biden to reconsider death penalty policies, which led Biden to commute the sentences of 37 out of 40 federal death row inmates, countering Trumps plans to resume executions once back in office.

As for Trump and his plans regarding the funeral, details remain uncertain. It is worth noting that Francis adjusted his funeral arrangements last year, opting to be buried in the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica rather than the traditional grottoes beneath St. Peters Basilica where most Popes rest. State events like a papal funeral typically serve as a common ground for political rivals to come together. For example, when Nelson Mandela passed in 2013, President Barack Obama invited former President George W. Bush to accompany him on a brief trip to South Africa, demonstrating a rare moment of unity. Despite their past conflicts, the two men managed to put differences aside for the occasion.

However, Trumps history suggests he may not follow the same path. His tendency to hold grudges raises questions about his willingness to attend Francis funeral and how he might perceive Biden's participation as well. In a surprising twist, Pope Francis once again serves as a reflective mirror, revealing the stark contrasts between two Presidents who embody vastly different philosophies and approaches to leadership. Biden is often seen as a figure willing to embrace humility and seek guidance, while Trump embodies a more defiant stance, resisting any challenges to his authority. This juxtaposition illustrates the broader narrative of Americas political landscape, with Biden and Trump symbolizing opposing sides of the spectrum.

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