Biden relegated to back of world leaders section at pope's funeral: 'No longer part of cool kids club'

Fox News - Apr 26th, 2025
Open on Fox News

The world mourns the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at 88 due to a cerebral stroke, leading to heart failure. His funeral at the Vatican attracted global leaders, including former U.S. President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden. Notably, Biden, no longer a sitting head of state, was seated away from other world leaders, including President Donald Trump, sparking discussions on social media about the seating arrangement. Despite this, Biden interacted warmly with other attendees, posing for selfies and expressing his admiration for Pope Francis, whom he described as a 'consequential' leader.

Pope Francis, known for his progressive stance on issues like gender ideology and his embrace of the LGBT community, had made significant impacts during his papacy. He was the first Jesuit pope and had served since 2013. The pontiff was remembered for his efforts in serving the vulnerable and advocating for the poor, qualities that resonated with Biden, the second Catholic U.S. president, who had met the pope on multiple occasions. The funeral marked the beginning of the Novendiali, a nine-day period of mourning, while the Catholic Church prepares for the election of the next pope, anticipated to be the most diverse conclave in history.

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RATING

6.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and relevant account of Joe Biden's attendance at Pope Francis' funeral, focusing on his seating arrangement and social media reactions. While the story's accuracy is generally sound, the reliance on subjective social media commentary and the lack of diverse perspectives affect its balance and source quality. The article is clear and readable, engaging readers interested in politics and international relations. However, its potential to provoke substantial controversy or impact broader societal changes is limited by the absence of authoritative sources and diverse viewpoints. Overall, the article offers an engaging but somewhat imbalanced portrayal of a significant global event.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story accurately reports on the attendance of Joe Biden at Pope Francis' funeral, noting his seating arrangement away from current world leaders, which aligns with common diplomatic protocol. The claim that Biden was escorted to his seat by his wife and a priest is consistent with reports highlighting his need for assistance due to age. However, the story's portrayal of social media reactions is subjective and lacks verification from primary sources, which could introduce bias. Additionally, the story states Pope Francis died of a cerebral stroke, which is consistent with official reports. Overall, the factual claims are mostly accurate but require careful consideration of context and source reliability.

5
Balance

The article presents a limited perspective by focusing heavily on social media reactions that criticize Biden, which may not represent a balanced view of the event. The emphasis on negative comments about Biden's seating could suggest bias, as it omits other perspectives, such as diplomatic seating protocols. Additionally, the story does not provide counterpoints or quotes from Biden's representatives, which could have offered a more balanced view. The absence of diverse viewpoints contributes to an imbalanced presentation of the event.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, making it easy to follow. It effectively communicates the main events and reactions surrounding Biden's attendance at the funeral. However, the focus on social media reactions and the lack of context regarding diplomatic seating protocols may confuse readers unfamiliar with such practices. Additionally, the inclusion of subjective commentary from social media could detract from the article's overall clarity and neutrality.

6
Source quality

The article relies on social media posts as sources, which are inherently subjective and may not be reliable. It lacks direct quotes from official sources or individuals present at the event, such as representatives from Biden's team or Vatican officials. The reliance on social media could undermine the article's credibility, as these sources may not provide the most accurate or comprehensive information. While Fox News is a recognized media outlet, the lack of diverse and authoritative sources affects the overall source quality.

6
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in its sourcing and methodology. It does not explain the selection process for the social media posts included, nor does it provide context for the seating arrangements at the funeral. The absence of a clear explanation of the article's basis may leave readers questioning the impartiality of the reporting. Furthermore, the lack of disclosure regarding the potential impact of diplomatic protocols on seating arrangements limits the transparency of the article.

Sources

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l0r-BnWx7M
  2. https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/politics/a64564781/joe-biden-pope-francis-funeral-photos/
  3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0cEKrQJdYk
  4. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/where-trump-world-leaders-seated-pope-francis-funeral/
  5. https://news.sky.com/video/joe-and-jill-biden-take-seats-at-service-13355772