President Joe Biden joked with Pope Francis during his trip to the Vatican, suggesting he will buy drinks the next time they meet.
He told Francis Friday, “You are the most significant warrior for peace I’ve ever met.”
Biden added, “With your permission I’d like to be able to give you a coin. It has a U.S. seal on the front, but what’s different with this coin, usually, I know my son would want me to give this to you because on the back of it I have the state of Delaware and the 261st unit my son served on.”
The president explained, “Now the tradition is, I’m only kidding about this, the next time I see you, if you don’t have it you have to buy the drinks. I’m the only Irishman you’ve ever met who’s never had a drink.”
Francis laughed and replied, “Irish people love whiskey.”
Watch the video below:
Biden awkwardly tries joking with Pope Francis about him buying drinks the next time they meet pic.twitter.com/0UV43jNRmC
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) October 29, 2021
A White House official said the meeting between Biden and Francis “was very warm,” adding, “There was laughter and clear rapport between President Biden and Pope Francis.”
Biden also tweeted, “It was an honor to meet with Pope Francis again at the Vatican today. I thanked His Holiness for his advocacy for the world’s poor and those suffering from hunger, conflict, and persecution, and lauded his leadership in fighting the climate crisis and ending the pandemic.”
It was an honor to meet with Pope Francis again at the Vatican today. I thanked His Holiness for his advocacy for the world’s poor and those suffering from hunger, conflict, and persecution, and lauded his leadership in fighting the climate crisis and ending the pandemic. pic.twitter.com/PGF5axSK4X
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 29, 2021
He reportedly joked with Francis about age, as CNN reports.
Mentioning African American baseball player Satchel Paige, Biden said, “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?”
He continued, “You’re 65. I’m 60.”
The Washington Post noted Biden and Francis met for 75 minutes. It lasted longer than meetings Francis has had with other U.S. president recently.
Later on Friday, Biden is expected to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron.