Photo credit: www.foxnews.com
Former President Joe Biden recently honored the legacy of the late Pope Francis in a reflective op-ed, contrasting his compassionate approach with the divisive tactics of some politicians, a move interpreted by many as a critique of former President Donald Trump.
Pope Francis, who passed away last week at the age of 88 after his final public appearance on Easter Sunday, was celebrated globally. His funeral, held in Vatican City on Saturday, was attended by numerous dignitaries, including both Biden and Trump.
Biden, having left office in January, articulated his admiration for the pontiff’s humanitarian efforts in a USA Today op-ed entitled “Pope Francis stood for compassion as others embraced cruelty. May mercy be his legacy.”
Among the hundreds of thousands who gathered in Rome to commemorate Pope Francis, Biden reflected that “mercy” was a recurring thought during the services. As only the second Catholic president in American history, he faced criticism for some of his political stances, particularly those that contrast with traditional Church teachings, including his support for abortion rights.
“Francis was a pope for our time, when so many leaders embraced cruelty,” Biden noted. “He stood for compassion. When many adhered to falsehoods, he championed truth. In a world that often viewed climate change as a mere political issue, he recognized it as an existential crisis. And when others pursued the politics of dehumanization, he advocated for our shared humanity.”
Biden extensively praised the pope’s poignant Easter message delivered shortly before his death, highlighting his denunciation of the cruelty faced by the vulnerable and his powerful voice against the marginalization of the weak and migrants.
“How much contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized, and migrants!” Biden recalled one of the pope’s impactful statements.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE
Pope Francis had previously met with Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden at the Apostolic Palace on October 29, 2021. Reflecting on his teachings, Biden expressed concern that the world may become colder following the pope’s passing.
“Francis used to say that ‘a little mercy makes the world less cold and more just.’ Now I fear with his passing, the world will be colder and less just. This means that all of us who cherished Francis need to step up,” Biden concluded.
Source
www.foxnews.com