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Report: Pope Francis Just Rejected a Major Request from Biden

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The Vatican reportedly rejected a request for President Joe Biden to attend an early morning Mass with Pope Francis.

A Vatican source told Catholic News Agency there is no meeting scheduled between Pope Francis and Biden.

The White House reportedly asked if Biden could attend Mass with the pope on Tuesday.

“The proposal was nixed by the Vatican after considering the impact that Biden receiving Holy Communion from the pope would have on the discussions the [United States Conference of Catholic Bishops] is planning to have during their meeting starting Wednesday, June 16,” CNA reported.

The U.S. bishops are scheduled to vote this week on creating a committee to draft a document about Eucharistic coherence.

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Adhering to Eucharistic coherence means bishops should be aware public officials cannot receive Holy Communion and “act with deeds or words against the commandments, particularly when abortion, euthanasia, and other grave crimes against life and family are encouraged,” according to CNA.

The bishops’ vote will decide if Catholic politicians who support abortion should be barred from receiving Communion.

The bishops discussed during a 2019 USCCB meeting if they should make abortion their top concern, The Washington Post reported.

“We are at a unique moment with the upcoming election cycle to make a real challenge to Roe v. Wade, given the possible changes to the Supreme Court. We should not dilute our efforts to protect the unborn,” Archbishop Alexander Sample of Portland, Oregon, said, according to the National Catholic Reporter.

Do you think Biden should be denied Communion?

The president has run into trouble over receiving Communion because of his support of abortion.

In 2019, he was denied Communion by a South Carolina priest who said any leader “who advocates for abortion places himself or herself outside of Church teaching,” The Post reported.

John Kelly was part of the Democratic National Committee team in 2008 that would find Catholic parishes that would welcome Biden during the Obama-McCain presidential race.

Kelly told The Post that Biden’s team got mad at him when he suggested one of Biden’s priest friends travel with him to avoid any confrontation.

“They felt, and they were right, that he wants to go to church and should have the right to. He wants to worship with his community,” Kelly said.

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“His understanding of the Eucharist was it shouldn’t be done hidden in private. I very much felt the Eucharist was being weaponized.”

Pope Francis and Biden previously met in 2015 while Biden was vice president, according to CNA.

Biden also visited the Vatican on April 29, 2016, and praised Pope Francis, who he said comforted him after the loss of his eldest son Beau a year prior.

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Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. A University of Oregon graduate, Erin has conducted research in data journalism and contributed to various publications as a writer and editor.
Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. She grew up in San Diego, California, proceeding to attend the University of Oregon and graduate with honors holding a degree in journalism. During her time in Oregon, Erin was an associate editor for Ethos Magazine and a freelance writer for Eugene Magazine. She has conducted research in data journalism, which has been published in the book “Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future.” Erin is an avid runner with a heart for encouraging young girls and has served as a coach for the organization Girls on the Run. As a writer and editor, Erin strives to promote social dialogue and tell the story of those around her.
Birthplace
Tucson, Arizona
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated with Honors
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, University of Oregon
Books Written
Contributor for Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future
Location
Prescott, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English, French
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Health, Entertainment, Faith




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