'It’s blasphemy!': Biden infuriates Catholic groups by making cross sign amid pro-abortion Florida speech

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: President Joe Biden made the sign of the cross, a gesture commonly made by Catholics before or after prayer, while listening to a pro-abortion speech by Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

According to Fox News, the incumbent came under heavy criticism from several Catholic groups and commentators for his action, which they described as sacrilegious, given the Catholic Church’s strict teaching condemning abortion.

When did Joe Biden make the sign of the cross?

Fried, the former Democratic gubernatorial nominee, spoke against an upcoming state legislation that sought to restrict abortion to within six weeks of gestation, in the presence of the President on Tuesday.

"And then we come back here to the state of Florida where (Governor) Ron DeSantis felt like he needed to run for president and so 15 weeks wasn’t good enough. We had to go to six weeks,” she had said, when Biden, standing beside her, made the sign of the cross, appearing to mock the Republican Governor's efforts to limit abortion.

Critics slammed President Biden over his action

Biden, who is a practicing Catholic himself, was severely criticized by many Catholic groups.

Kristan Hawkins, the founder of Students for Life of America, said Catholics “should be calling this evil out,” while the pro-life group 40 Days for Life claimed the President’s gesture is a “stark reminder of the disconnect between his actions and Catholic teachings on the sanctity of life.”

CatholicVote President Brian Burch reportedly stated, "Biden’s decision to make the sign of the cross in support of abortion extremism is a despicable charade that attempts to co-opt a sacred practice in support of his new abortion religion. His gesture openly mocks the Christian belief in the sanctity of life.”

“There is no divine support for destroying the lives of innocent children, and he should know better. Biden’s gesture suggests he is either terribly naive, or senile, or callously indifferent to the foundational beliefs of millions of Christians in America," he added.

Internet slams Joe Biden for making cross sign amid pro-abortion speech

Some social media users took to X (formerly Twitter) to slam President Joe Biden over his gesture and accused him of "blasphemy".

"He has zero clue how the 2 things might be opposed," wrote a social media user.

"Has no idea what he’s doing," echoed another.

"Good thing there's no Christians voting for him," one individual tweeted.

"That’s not going to win you any votes! You’re a disgrace!" exclaimed another.

"Guy is completely gone," one person commented.

"Coming from him, it’s blasphemy!" noted another user.

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