Former President Joe Biden’s appearance at the funeral of Pope Francis was a stunning reminder of the frailty and fading leadership of the 46th president. As Biden made his way into St. Peter’s Square for the funeral of the beloved pontiff, he struggled visibly, drawing ridicule from both conservatives and social media users alike.
Videos emerged showing the aging leader grappling with his physical limitations as he descended a flight of stairs. Holding onto his wife, Jill, and a priest for support, Biden seemed to slow the procession, drawing more attention than his intended reverence. The images were stark, and the moment was a further indication of just how much the public’s perception of Biden has soured.
This wasn’t the only awkward moment. Biden was seated near the back of the foreign dignitaries section, another sign of the waning respect he commands on the international stage. The seating arrangement alone sparked derisive comments from social media users, with one user remarking, “Biden is no longer part of the cool kids club.” Another post from a Twitter user, I Meme Therefore I Am, claimed, “Look at how lost he looks.”
Biden’s lack of decorum didn’t end with his seating. In the lead-up to the ceremony, videos surfaced of the former president snapping selfies with other funeral attendees. This cringeworthy display of inappropriate behavior at a solemn event did not sit well with conservatives, who were quick to call him out for his lack of respect. One user, Gunnar Riise, commented, “The fact that he’s actually standing should be wtf here.” Indeed, the moment made Biden appear even more out of touch with the gravity of the situation.
The controversy only deepened when it was revealed that Biden had posed for a selfie with Ugandan Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa at the funeral. This sparked a wave of criticism, with some asking, “Why did Biden even show up?” and others joking, “It wouldn’t surprise me if Biden travels with his own coffin. He could’ve been tossed in with the pope, but the blasphemy would be too much.” The scorn directed at Biden continued to snowball as conservatives expressed their frustration over his lack of reverence for such an important occasion.
In the aftermath of the funeral, Biden paid tribute to the late pope on social media, calling him “one of the most consequential leaders of our time” and praising his lifelong mission to serve the poor. Biden’s words, though, were met with backlash from many, including one user named Alex who pointed out Biden’s hypocrisy: “He called the genocidal violence you facilitated terrorism. While you sent bombs to kill Palestinians, he stood with them. You have trampled on all of his teachings. Shame.”
Biden’s attempt to align himself with the pope’s legacy rings hollow when considering his track record as president. The criticism from social media users is more than just a passing insult; it highlights the profound disconnect between Biden’s public persona and the expectations of leadership. His frailty, both physically and politically, continues to be an embarrassment—not just to his administration but to the country at large.
This latest incident only reinforces the notion that Biden’s time in office may be nearing its end. With an upcoming election on the horizon and his approval ratings continuing to falter, it’s clear that the American people are ready for change. Whether Biden will heed the signs and step aside or continue to embarrass himself and the nation remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: his performance at the Pope’s funeral is just another chapter in a long list of political blunders.
