Biden pays tribute to Pope Benedict, Barbara Walters

President Joe Biden joined world leaders Saturday in expressing his condolences following the passing of Pope Benedict XVI, who has died at the age of 95, and sent his condolences to the family of the late television journalist Barbara Walters.

“Jill and I join Catholics around the world, and so many others, in mourning the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI,” Biden said in a statement. “I had the privilege of spending time with Pope Benedict at the Vatican in 2011 and will always remember his generosity and welcome, as well as our meaningful conversation.”

“He will be remembered as a renowned theologian, with a lifetime of devotion to the Church, guided by his principles and his faith,” added the president.

Later Saturday in an Instagram post, the president paid tribute to Walters, who passed away Friday at the age of 93.

‘Barbara Walters has always been an example of courage and truth, breaking down barriers while driving our nation forward. Her legacy will continue to be an inspiration to all journalists,’ she said. “Jill and I send our deepest condolences to her daughter, Jacqueline, and to all who loved her.”

Later Saturday in an Instagram post, the president paid tribute to Barbara Walters (left), who passed away Friday at the age of 93.

As vice president, Biden secretly met Pope Benedict in June 2011, during a trip to Rome.

At the time, the pope decided not to make an example of Biden, the country’s first Catholic vice president, for his support for abortion rights, which is contrary to church teaching.

Their meeting only became known because the White House later released a photo of the two men together.

Benedict resigned as pope, a move that shocked the world, in 2013.

His successor, Pope Francis, met Biden as president in October 2021, when the president was in Italy to meet with G20 leaders.

Biden is only the second Catholic president in the country and is a frequent churchgoer.

In his statement Saturday, Biden quoted Benedict XVI from the pope’s 2008 visit to the White House with then-President Barack Obama: “The need for global solidarity is as urgent as ever if all people want to live in one way worthy of his dignity.”

“May your focus on the ministry of charity continue to be an inspiration to all of us,” the president said.

The image Biden shared of Walters is from his February 2014 appearance on The View. During her meeting, the vice president kissed Walters and said he would divulge her 2016 campaign plans if she stayed.

The image Biden shared of Walters is from his February 2014 appearance on The View.

During their meeting, the vice president kissed Walters and told her he would divulge his 2016 campaign plans if she stayed.

Walters was due to finish his tenure at The View at the end of the season.

“I’m not sure it’s a deal I can take,” Walters said at the time.

Biden’s son Beau died the following year and he chose not to run for president in 2016, paving the way for eventual Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

It took another four years for him to jump into the running, this time to take on now-former President Donald Trump.

The president, the first lady, their daughter Ashley and her husband Howard Kerin and their grandchildren Natalie and Hunter will spend the New Year holidays in a luxury three-bedroom villa on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.

The Bidens arrived on Tuesday and only went out publicly on Friday, with the president and Hunter playing a round of golf and then the Bidens and their grandchildren enjoying dinner at a top-rated restaurant in downtown Christiansted.

The White House called a “cap” around lunchtime Saturday, meaning the president will not vacate the property, which was loaned by a major Democratic donor, on New Year’s Eve.

He is expected to leave the island for Washington on Monday, after ringing in the new year.

He said Friday night as he left the Savant restaurant that “2023 will be a good year.”