President Biden and Pope Francis to Meet Amidst Contrasting Peace Visions

President Joe Biden and Pope Francis are set to convene for a significant meeting as their views on achieving peace diverge on matters concerning Gaza and Ukraine.

The first meeting between the two leaders saw Pope Francis commending Biden as a notable beacon for peace, sparking anticipation for their upcoming encounter.

In their previous dialogue, Biden highlighted the Pope’s recognition of him as a faithful Catholic amidst criticisms from certain members of the clergy regarding Biden’s stance on abortion.

As they prepare to rendezvous in Italy, the focus of their conversation is likely to be the ongoing clashes in Gaza and Ukraine.

Pope Francis has consistently called for a cessation of hostilities in Gaza, while Biden’s administration has vocally supported Israel, emphasizing a firm stance in the Middle East discord.

The Qatar Peace Plan, which suggests a cease-fire in Gaza, might feature prominently in their discussions.

Conversely, in the context of Ukraine’s conflict with Russia, significant disparities exist between the approaches of the Holy See and the U.S., particularly following the Holy See’s controversial remarks on NATO and Ukraine’s negotiation stance.

Nevertheless, there’s optimism for discussions around shared initiatives like the repatriation of Ukrainian children led by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi and Ambassador Joe Donnelly, fostering collaboration between the micro-state and a global superpower.

Archbishop Paul Gallagher previously described U.S.-Holy See relations as highly collaborative under the current administration, compared to its predecessor.

Despite their differences, the leaders are expected to address mutual objectives towards peacebuilding, underscoring a message of resilience despite age-related doubts surrounding Biden, 81, and Francis, 87.