Donald Trump refuses to offer Joe Biden a ride on Air Force One to Pope Francis' funeral

VATICAN CITY: President Donald Trump made it clear he would not extend a political olive branch to Joe Biden.

Unlike in 2005, when sitting president George W Bush invited former presidents George HW Bush and Bill Clinton to ride together on Air Force One to attend Pope John Paul II’s funeral, Trump chose not to offer Biden a seat for the journey to Italy, reports Daily Beast.

Donald Trump declines Joe Biden Air Force One ride to pope’s funeral

When reporters aboard Air Force One asked on Friday if he planned to meet or travel with Joe Biden, Donald Trump appeared indifferent. “Oh, he is? I didn’t know,” he said, according to the Daily Mail, before adding that a meeting with Biden was “not high on my list.” He further emphasized, “It’s really not.”

During the ceremony at St Peter’s Square, Trump sat alongside first lady Melania Trump and notably ignored Biden and former first lady Jill Biden, despite being in close proximity to them.

Jill Biden embraced sustainability by re-wearing her custom Schiaparelli ensemble at Pope Francis’ funeral in St Peter’s Square. She wore the elegant outfit previously at former president Jimmy Carter’s funeral in January and Queen Elizabeth's memorial in 2022. 

She completed the look with a pair of classic black pumps by American designer Marion Parke.

Meanwhile, former president Joe Biden kept things classic in a sharp black suit, paired with a blue tie and his signature Ray-Ban sunglasses for a timeless, understated look.

While avoiding any interaction with Biden, Trump made time to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the trip, according to the New York Times.

Trump later posted on Truth Social that “they are very close to a deal” regarding the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, suggesting high-level meetings were imminent.

Joe Biden clicks selfies with mourners at pope’s funeral

Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, made a solemn arrival at Saint Peter’s Square on Saturday morning to honor Pope Francis at his funeral. The former president, 82, appeared steady but cautious as he descended the steps to the foreign dignitaries' seating area, supported by his wife and a priest.

Biden, a lifelong Catholic and only the second Catholic US president after John F Kennedy, shared several moments with mourners, even stopping to take a selfie before the service began.

Biden, who first met Pope Francis as vice president in 2013 during the pontiff's inauguration, reflected on their multiple meetings, including the pope’s address to Congress and a G7 gathering in Italy last year.

In a heartfelt tribute, Biden remembered Francis as “one of the most consequential leaders of our time,” praising his dedication to welcoming all and promoting justice worldwide.

While current heads of state were seated closer to the front, the Bidens took their place further back among foreign dignitaries, away from President Donald Trump.