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Quick Bytes
- President Joe Biden to have a private meeting with Pope Francis at the G7 summit.
- Discussion topics likely include the war in Ukraine, Middle East issues, and climate change.
- Pope Francis to address ethical AI use with G7 leaders; previously met Biden in 2021.
- Biden, a Catholic, has faced controversy over his stance on abortion but was encouraged by the Pope to continue receiving communion.
President Biden and Pope Francis Set for Meaningful Discussion at G7
President Joe Biden is scheduled for a significant private meeting with Pope Francis during the G7 summit in Italy, a moment of personal importance for Biden, who values his Catholic faith deeply.
The two leaders are expected to tackle pressing global issues such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the volatile situation in the Middle East, and the challenges posed by climate change. This encounter is not just a diplomatic engagement but also a continuation of their dialogue from Biden’s 2021 visit to Italy, where personal matters and shared concerns were discussed.
Pope Francis, marking a historic first for a pontiff, will participate in the G7 summit to contribute to discussions on creating an ethical framework for AI development. This comes after a year when digitally altered images of the Pope gained widespread attention online. Biden, despite holding views on abortion that conflict with traditional Catholic teachings, received affirmation from Pope Francis to continue participating in communion rites during their previous meeting.
The meeting also holds sentimental value for Biden, who in 2021 presented the Pope with a coin from the military unit his late son Beau served in. With health concerns surrounding the 87-year-old Pope, his engagements at the G7 summit, including meetings with other world leaders, are being closely watched.
Image Credits
- M. White: Photo of President Joe Biden and Pope Francis.
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