Biden remembers Pope Benedict XVI as ‘renowned theologian’
Joseph Lawler
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President Joe Biden praised Pope Benedict XVI as a theologian and an inspiration in his first public comments following the death of the former pontiff at age 95.
Benedict “will be remembered as a renowned theologian, with a lifetime of devotion to the Church, guided by his principles and faith,” Biden said in a statement provided by the White House Saturday.
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Biden, the second Catholic president, said that he and first lady Jill Biden were morning the death of the pope emeritus.
Biden noted that he met with Benedict in 2011 and said that the pope was generous and welcoming.
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“May his focus on the ministry of charity continue to be an inspiration to us all,” Biden said.
Benedict’s body will lie in state starting Monday, the Vatican press office said, and Pope Francis will provide over his funeral Thursday at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. It is not yet known which representatives of the U.S. will be present.