Besides the pontiff, Biden will also meet with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella during the January three-day trip, due to commence on January 9, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
In a call on Thursday, the president accepted the invite to the Vatican, and “thanked the Pope for his continued advocacy to alleviate global suffering, including his work to advance human rights and protect religious freedoms,” the White House said in a statement.Joe Biden and Pope Francis will be discussing “efforts to advance peace around the world.” The US president will also meet Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shortly before he leaves the White House in January.
