Politics
Biden Cites Pope’s Compassion ‘When Others Embraced Cruelty’ in Op-Ed That Includes Swipe Seen as Aimed at Trump
By Jake Beardslee · April 28, 2025
Biden Reflects on Pope Francis’ Legacy in USA TODAY Op-Ed
In a USA TODAY op-ed published Monday, former President Joe Biden reflected on the legacy of Pope Francis, praising the late pontiff’s emphasis on "compassion" and "truth" while offering remarks that some interpreted as indirect criticism of President Donald Trump. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alex Broome / Wikimedia
Biden and Trump Reunite at Pope Francis’ Funeral
Biden and Trump both attended Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome over the weekend, marking their first public appearance together since Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025. Christophe Licoppe / European Commission / Wikimedia
Biden Praises Francis for Showing Compassion ‘When Others Embraced Cruelty’
"Francis was a pope for our time, when so many leaders embraced cruelty. He stood for compassion," Biden wrote. "When so many casually embraced lies. He stood for truth." Adam Schultz / Wikimedia
Biden Highlights Francis’ Advocacy
In the op-ed, Biden also cited Francis’ concern for vulnerable populations, quoting the pope's warning: "How much contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized, and migrants!" Yakov Fedorov / Wikimedia
Biden Credits Francis for Framing Climate Change as a Moral Issue
Biden’s commentary on Pope Francis extended to environmental issues, noting that "when so many treated the climate as a political matter, he knew it was a moral imperative." Akil Mazumder / Pexels
Biden's Past Criticisms of Trump’s Federal Cutbacks
Biden has occasionally issued more direct criticisms of Trump, such as accusing him of "taking a hatchet" to the Social Security Administration amid federal cutbacks. The White House / Wikimedia
Trump Joked About Biden During Easter Egg Roll Appearance
During the recent White House Easter Egg Roll, Trump joked about Biden’s past interaction with an aide in a bunny costume, saying, "Do you remember the bunny with Joe Biden? Do you remember when the bunny took Joe Biden out? He’s not taking Trump out." The White House / Wikimedia
Biden Recalls First Meeting with Francis
Biden, who ended his 2024 reelection campaign amid concerns from within his own party about his candidacy, used the op-ed to reflect on the role of mercy in leadership. He recalled his first meeting with Pope Francis in 2013, writing, "In Francis, I saw the revitalization of the faith I had grown up with," describing it as a call to care for "the last and the least" and to promote "love and mercy." David Lienemann / Wikimedia