Heads of State are paying their last respects to Pope Benedict. Biden Isn’t One Of Them.

VATICAN — Now ends the final day for pilgrims to pay their respects to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, with Heads of State being among the estimated 200k to visit St Peter’s Basilica over the last three days. The world’s leaders included the presidents and prime minsters of Poland and Portugal, Germany, Italy and Hungary. There were also royal families from Spain and Germany. Notably missing — leadership from the United States.

During a press conference Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press secretary, stated on Tuesday that the U.S. Joe Donnelly, the American Ambassador to Holy See, will represent the United States at funeral of Pope. “This is what — this is what their requests were. This is what their wishes were,” She answered when she was asked why the president didn’t attend.

The Daily Wire inquired of the Vatican Press Office regarding the details to this request after learning that the Vatican asked the president to send a representative, rather than him attending. “request.” Our inquiry was not answered by him directly but Matteo Bruni, Vatican spokesperson, told us. Euro News That “if other heads of state or government come, they will do so in a personal capacity,” seeming to place the choice of attendance on the individual leaders — as seen by the number of leaders who have chosen to pay their respects — seeming to contradict Jean-Pierre’s assertions. Bruni confirmed Journalists were told that there were only two state delegations “officially invited” To the funeral

The Vatican released several articles previewing what is to be expected at tomorrow’s funeral, through its state-run media organization. Pope Francis will preside over his predecessor’s liturgy, the first pope to do so since 1802, when Pius VII presided over a solemn funeral of Pius VI — who died in exile as a prisoner of Napoleon Bonaparte.

The Vatican stated on Tuesday that the late Pope Emeritus would be placed in a cypress coffin, and interred within the former tomb of Pope St. John Paul II within St. Peter’s Basilica crypt, per his request. The Holy See stated that the liturgy would be simplified and removed rites that relate to the death or resignation of a reigning pontiff. once more As if future popes would resign, it seems that this precedent was set.

The Daily Wire will report on the historic funeral for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Thursday.

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