We’ll probably never know for sure, but I can guess.
President Joe Biden, the first Catholic Commander in Chief in some six decades who proclaims himself to be a “devout” follower of the church’s teachings, won’t be attending the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI following his passing last week.
If it seems strange that such a close follower of the Catholic Church would not attend the final goodbye to the previous Holy Father — not to mention passing on a chance to get out of D.C. for a few days as he seemingly does whenever possible — it’s because it wasn’t Biden’s choice. At least not completely.
[. . .]
In Tuesday’s briefing, Jean-Pierre said that — instead of the president — the United States will be represented at Pope Benedict XVI’s funeral by America’s Ambassador to the Holy See, Joe Donnelly. Jean-Pierre explained that the decision for Biden to skip out on the farewell was made “in line with the wishes of the late Pope and the Vatican” because “their wishes” were for Biden not to attend.
Apparently Joe thinks that he knows! Or else he’s just making up excuses. You know – the thing!
Well, if Biden is leaving it up to us to decide why he’s being excluded from Pope Benedict XVI’s funeral, there’s one big reason that comes to mind: his work to advance the pro-abortion agenda — something that has put Biden on unsteady footing with the Vatican in the past.
[. . .]
Following his meeting with Pope Francis, Biden claimed the Holy Father told Biden he was “happy” the president “was a good Catholic” and said Biden “should keep receiving communion.”
But Pope Francis hasn’t always felt so warmly about Biden and his political positions. In a July 2022 interview, Pope Francis reiterated that “a month after conception, the DNA of the fetus is already there and the organs are aligned,” proving the unborn are, in fact “human life.”
As such, Pope Francis continued, President Biden’s defense of abortion is left to his “conscience,” and he should “talk to his pastor about that incoherence.” No kidding.
Stella's Place 
Just how does one become a “good Catholic” by breaking the guidelines? BTW, I don’t recall anything good he’s accomplished in 4 plus decades as a public servant except he be corrupt! And that is only good for his bank account! Spiritually, Joey B. is an ugly entity! Sold to the “Dark Side!”
LikeLiked by 2 people
Couldn’a said it better, Pa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish old Joe would be denied communion by every priest in the US. Lisa Murkowski was denied by my very own priest Father Whitney when he was celebrating the Mass at Our Lady of the Snows in Alyeska, Alaska a few years ago. He took a lot of heat for it from the Archbishop at the time. He is an awesome priest.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Good for Father Whitney! These politicians have to decide if they are Roman Catholic, OR
pro-choicepro-abortion. They can’t be both.LikeLiked by 3 people
I think this is not quite as much a reflection of Pope Emeritus Benedict’s views on Biden as I would like it to be. The funeral, even though I read there were 50,000 people in St. Peter’s Square, was not at all, not even close to, what it would have been for the death of the one and only pope, sitting on the Chair of Peter.
I think it was a combination of statesmanship or whatever you call it that diplomats get so anal about, and Benedict’s wishes. I did read that he did not want Biden to attend. But there were a lot of world dignitaries who also weren’t there.
Also, unfortunately Biden and Pope Francis are not always known for unvarnished truth, but I have never believed that Pope Francis told Biden that he should keep receiving Communion. The wording and the significance is way off for me, as a practicing Catholic of many years.
None of us should dare to receive the Body of Christ in a state of mortal sin, and most priests are a little reserved in the specifics of encouraging Communion. It’s a private matter for one to determine if he is disposed to receive, and it is out of place to comment in such a specific way that a person whose intent is to make a Confession feels pressured, or is put in a position of sensitivity, forced to publicly acknowledge their inability to receive Communion.
Pope Francis has his faults, but he has again and again stood for the unborn. While I think the evidence proves that he doesn’t support the denial of Communion for politicians and public figures, as he danged well should, I just don’t see him totally giving Biden a Pat on the back and a good boy.
Biden lies without any fear of exposure, but most people know that the Vatican would not comment at all on a private audience with the Pope.
LikeLike