Former President Joe Biden is planning to attend the funeral for Pope Francis on Saturday in Vatican City.
That is according to many people who know of his plans, CBS News reported.
The fine details have not been set for Biden, who had both a working and personal relationship with the pope. Pope Francis ascended to the papacy in 2013 when former President Barack Obama was in office. Obama is not planning to attend, according to a spokesman.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will fly Friday morning to Rome.
Pope Francis died Monday following a stroke. He was 88.
He has been lying in state in St. Peter’s Basilica since Wednesday.
Other dignitaries expect to attend the funeral are Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Argentinian President Javier Milei.
Biden posted on social media Monday about the pope’s passing.
“It is with great sadness that Jill and I learned of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. He was unlike any who came before him. Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time and I am better for having known him,” Biden wrote. “For decades, he served the most vulnerable across Argentina and his mission of serving the poor never ceased. As Pope, he was a loving pastor and challenging teacher who reached out to different faiths. He commanded us to fight for peace and protect our planet from a climate crisis. He advocated for the voiceless and powerless.”
“He made all feel welcome and seen by the Church. He promoted equity and an end to poverty and suffering across the globe. And above all, he was a Pope for everyone. He was the People’s Pope – a light of faith, hope, and love,” Biden continued.
