Biden will visit the Vatican and Italy on his final international trip as president

US President Joe Biden will visit the Vatican next month, marking what is likely to be his last international trip as president before his term ends. The White House announced that Biden will travel to Rome from January 9 to 12, where he will meet with Pope Francis, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

“President Biden will have an audience with the Pope on January 10 to discuss global efforts to promote peace,” the White House said in a statement.

Biden will also meet with Italian leaders to highlight the strong relationship between the United States and Italy. Discussions with Prime Minister Meloni are expected to cover Italy’s leadership of the G7 over the past year and focus on key international challenges.

This trip reflects Biden’s continued commitment to fostering diplomatic ties and maintaining dialogue on pressing global issues, even as his presidency nears its end.

A story of meetings with Pope Francis

As a practicing Catholic, Biden has met with Pope Francis on multiple occasions. Earlier this year they held a private meeting in Italy during a meeting of G7 world leaders. The two also met at the Vatican in 2021 for a wide-ranging conversation on topics including climate change, poverty and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Their 2021 meeting also touched on deeply personal issues, including the loss of Biden’s son, Beau, who died of cancer in 2015. The discussion was warm and candid, with lighthearted exchanges about aging gracefully.

Despite their shared Catholic faith, Biden’s stance on some social issues, such as abortion rights and same-sex marriage, has drawn criticism from some within the Church. A number of conservative Catholic leaders have even suggested that Biden should be denied communion because of his support for policies that conflict with the traditional teachings of the Church.

However, during their 2021 meeting, Biden said Pope Francis reassured him, calling him a “good Catholic” and encouraging him to continue receiving communion.

Strengthen US-Italy relations

In addition to meeting with the Pope, Biden’s visit to Italy will focus on strengthening the strong partnership between the United States and Italy. His discussions with President Mattarella and Prime Minister Meloni will likely focus on G7 efforts to address global challenges, including economic stability, climate action and international security.

Italy’s leadership in the G7 over the past year has placed it at the forefront of addressing major global issues, and Biden’s visit highlights the importance of the transatlantic alliance in addressing shared challenges.

A final chapter in Biden’s presidency

Biden’s trip to Rome will be one of his last acts as president, whose mandate will officially end on January 20. President-elect Donald Trump will take office that day, ending the Biden administration.

As his presidency draws to a close, Biden’s visit to the Vatican and Italy highlights his emphasis on diplomacy and global cooperation. It also reflects his personal connection to his faith and his commitment to addressing global issues together with international allies.

This final trip marks a symbolic end to Biden’s tenure as he seeks to highlight the importance of peace, unity and collaboration on the world stage.