Share this Post
When news broke that U.S. President Joe Biden might attend the Pope’s funeral, the world seemed to split into two camps: those who shrugged and moved on, and those who leaned in, whispering, “Now that… that’s a big deal.”
But why? Why should it matter that a president attends a funeral — even if it’s for the leader of the Roman Catholic Church?
It’s not just about Biden. And it’s not just about the Pope. It’s about what happens when symbols meet — when faith and power stand side by side, shoulder to shoulder, in the hush of grief. It’s about diplomacy wrapped in black suits and rosary beads. It’s about the quiet, sometimes unspoken weight of presence.
Joe Biden isn’t just any world leader. He’s a devout Catholic — the second Catholic president in U.S. history after John F. Kennedy. His faith isn’t performative; it’s personal. He quotes scripture in speeches. He carries a rosary in his pocket — the one that belonged to his late son, Beau. So when a man like Biden walks into St. Peter’s Basilica to honor the passing of the Holy Father, it’s not just politics. It’s personal. Spiritual. Historic.
But then again, it is also political.
Every step Biden takes in that funeral procession will echo across continents. The Catholic Church is a moral force, but also a political one — influencing abortion laws, LGBTQ+ rights, migration, and global justice. A U.S. president sitting in the pews among cardinals and heads of state isn’t just mourning — he’s signaling. He’s saying, “We see you. We respect your voice. Let’s talk.”
Some will ask: Isn’t this just a funeral? Yes. But also, no. It’s the funeral of a man who shepherded over a billion souls. It’s the end of an era. And in many ways, it’s a mirror held up to the world — showing us where faith and politics collide, where tradition meets modernity, and where old wounds between Church and State try to heal, if only for a day.
And maybe — just maybe — in that sacred silence of mourning, something bigger happens. Maybe alliances begin to shift. Maybe understanding deepens. Maybe we remember that behind the suits, behind the sermons, we are all just human. Fragile. Finite. Searching.
So, what’s the big deal about Biden attending the Pope’s funeral?
It’s not just a funeral. It’s a moment. A message. A merging of stories, legacies, and the quiet hope that even in death, unity can be found.
