Biden expected to attend Pope Francis' funeral, sources say

Pope Francis as a model for the next leader

Will the Catholic church turn to Pope Francis as a model for the next leader?

03:50

Former President Joe Biden, who has maintained a close and personal relationship with Pope Francis going back to the visit of the deceased pontiff in the United States in 2015, should assist Papal funerals Saturday in Vatican City, according to several people with knowledge of its plans.

Although the end details are not yet set, Biden intends to attend, people said.

Francis began its papacy in 2013 during the Obama administration, but former President Barack Obama does not intend to attend, according to a spokesperson.

Pope Francis meets President Joe Biden at the G7 leaders’ summit on the second day of the 50th G7 summit in Borgo Egnazia on June 14, 2024 in Fasano, Italy.

Divisione Produzione Fotografica / Getty Images

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump is expected to fly to Rome on Saturday morning for Saturday mornings.

Pope Francis, who had struggled against health problems for months, Died Monday at the age of 88 After a stroke.

He was lying down At the Saint-Pierre basilica since Wednesday, where tens of thousands of people in mourning came their last respect.

Among the heads of state who attend the funeral will be the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, the French president Emmanuel Macron, the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Argentinian president Javier Milei.

Ed O’Keefe

Ed O’Keefe is the White House and Political Correspondent of CBS News. Previously, he worked for the Washington Post covering the presidential campaigns, the congress and the federal agencies. His main objective is President Biden, Vice-President Harris and political issues across the country.