Biden Not Invited To Benedict’s Funeral Per ‘Wishes Of The Late Pope’

President Joe Biden was snubbed from the Thursday funeral of Pope Benedict XVI per the “last wishes of the pontiff” and sent the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See to represent America in his place, according to BizPac Review.

The news of Biden missing the Pope’s funeral was revealed during a press conference earlier this week.

Wednesday, Biden press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre answered questions regarding the president’s absence and his thoughts on Benedict, admitting that the White House is following the Vatican’s wishes by sending a proxy.

“The U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Joe Donnelly, will represent the United States at the funeral of the Pope, in line with the wishes of the late Pope and the Vatican,” Jean-Pierre said after being asked about the funeral by Owen Jensen with EWTN.

“This is what — this is what their requests were. This is what their wishes were.”

Biden himself also answered questions about his absence, giving reporters a cryptic response.

“You’re not attending [Pope Benedict XVI’s] funeral tomorrow … Why?” a reporter asked.

Biden responded with another question, asking, “Well why do you think?” He then added, “You know why” after the reporter asked for more clarification.

Conservative commentator Ryan Fournier humorously questioned Biden’s snub from the funeral, writing, “But I thought Joe was such a great Catholic,” likely referencing the White House’s common claim that he is devout, despite clamoring for pro-abortion policies.

Jean-Pierre also insisted that Biden is a hardcore man of faith.

“Look, you know, the president, as you know, he takes his faith very seriously,” the press secretary told reporters.

“This is someone who is passionate about his faith. That’s not something I even need to tell you; you know this for yourself.”

Pope Benedict XVI’s funeral was presided over by the current Pope, Francis, a first in modern times.