Staff Reports
President Biden is gearing up for a final overseas jaunt this January, expected to take place from the 9th through the 12th in Italy, rich in history and a little less in voter-friendly policies. The White House has issued a press release detailing a leisurely agenda that includes a cozy chat with Pope Francis, who must be running out of things to say to this administration by now.
The trip will kick off on January 10, when Biden meets the pope to, according to the White House, discuss promoting world peace. One wonders if a world leader’s version of peace talks involves a good hearty meal and some gelato. It seems the only significant outcome expected from this trip is Biden’s Instagram photo-op with the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella, showcasing the glory of American diplomacy, despite a significant chunk of Americans feeling increasingly ignored at home.
Biden to meet Pope Francis in Rome in January to ‘discuss efforts to advance peace around the world,’ @PressSec announces, on what will almost certainly be the last foreign trip of his presidency pic.twitter.com/S6kwV4t2Q3
— Danny Kemp (@dannyctkemp) December 19, 2024
While it is lovely that someone in the White House will express gratitude to Meloni for her leadership in the G7, it raises the question of whether this is a strategic attempt to mask the growing uncontrollable chaos domestically. Biden will, without a doubt, detail the superiority of the U.S. and Italy’s relationship, all while he tries to maintain his ‘presidential’ status in his twilight hours before the torch is handed over to Donald Trump.
Speaking of handovers, it’s noteworthy that this trip may very well be Biden’s last foreign excursion before President-elect Trump is inaugurated on January 20. The fact that the President is packing his bags one last time raises the question: is he trying to cash in on some international goodwill before his domestic policies get met with a big, fat “no” from a GOP-led Congress?
As an extra kick to the Biden narrative, this globetrotting does follow the first lady’s own final foreign trip earlier this month—also to Italy. If these trips are any indication, perhaps the Biden administration is trying to make the most of their passport stamps while they still can. Soon, they’ll be relegated to watching Vice President Kamala Harris awkwardly trying to run a country from the sidelines.
With all eyes suddenly drawn to Europe for a few last hurrah selfies, one can’t help but chuckle at the irony that Biden, the second Catholic president in U.S. history, has a meeting with the pope and yet seems to only deliver division back at home. Should be a riveting trip, as long as no one forgets the itinerary and the president doesn’t start talking about how he’s closing the border… in Italy.
