President Biden Exchanged Gifts With Pope Francis Including a Personal Gift Honoring His Son Beau

By Currents News Staff and Elise Ann Allen

ROME (Crux) — In one of his most keenly anticipated meetings since taking office in January, President Joe Biden met with Pope Francis at the Vatican Friday for a lengthy conversation that touched on a variety of issues of shared interest.

A White House statement said that Biden thanked Pope Francis “for his advocacy for the world’s poor and those suffering from hunger, conflict, and persecution” during the 75-minute conversation.

Biden also “lauded Pope Francis’ leadership in fighting the climate crisis, as well as his advocacy to ensure the pandemic ends for everyone through vaccine sharing and an equitable global economic recovery.”

There was no mention of abortion or life issues, on which Biden is known to be at odds with official Church teaching, in the White House statement.

In the Vatican’s own statement, the “cordial” discussions were said to have touched on an array of issues, including the environment, the fight against COVID-19, and assistance for migrants and refugees, as well as the protection of human rights, including “freedom of religion and conscience.”

They also spoke about “some matters regarding the current international situation” and the G20 summit in Rome this weekend, as well as the promotion of world peace “through political negotiation,” the Vatican said.

Biden, only the second Catholic president in U.S. history, had met Pope Francis previously on three different occasions, the first being in 2013 after the Mass for Pope Francis’ inauguration.

The two met again in 2015 during Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S. for the World Meeting of Families, shortly after Biden’s son Beau died of brain cancer. They then met a third time at the Vatican in 2016 while Biden was still vice president and was invited to speak at a conference on adult stem-cell research.

After arriving at the Vatican shortly around noon local time, Biden and Pope Francis held a closed-door meeting.

It is unusual for a pope’s meeting with a head of state to last so long.

Pope Francis’ meetings with Biden’s two immediate predecessors were significantly shorter, with his 2014 audience with Barack Obama lasting around 52 minutes and his 2017 audience with Donald Trump lasting about 30 minutes.

Biden is currently in Rome for a two-day G20 leaders’ summit, after which he will head to Glasgow, Scotland, to attend the United Nations COP26 climate conference.

As he arrived in the Vatican, Biden was cheerful and exchanged smiles and handshakes with the Vatican officials waiting in the San Damaso courtyard of the Apostolic Palace. After their meeting, which concluded at 1:25 p.m. local time, the two exchanged gifts.

Pope Francis gave Biden a painting on a ceramic tile titled, “The Pilgrim,” as well as several recent papal documents, including this year’s Message for Peace and a 2019 document on human fraternity.

Biden, for his part, gave Pope Francis a handwoven chasuble dating back to 1930. A chasuble is the outermost liturgical vestment a priest wears during Mass.

After the meeting, Biden, who was accompanied by First Lady Jill Biden and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as well as other representatives from the White House and the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See, met with the Vatican secretary of state, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Biden left the Vatican just before 2:50 p.m. local time, almost three hours after his arrival.

It is no surprise that social issues such as poverty, climate change, and recovery from the coronavirus pandemic were discussed during the meeting, as these have long been seen as areas of overlap between Pope Francis and the Biden administration.

Many of these same issues were discussed during a phone call between the two shortly after Biden won the U.S. 2020 presidential election.

At the time, Biden’s team released a statement thanking Pope Francis for his leadership “in promoting peace, reconciliation, and the common bonds of humanity around the world.”

He pledged his commitment to work with the Vatican and the Catholic Church “on the basis of a shared belief in the dignity and equality of all humankind on issues such as caring for the marginalized and the poor, addressing the crisis of climate change, and welcoming and integrating immigrants and refugees into our communities.”

Although Pope Francis did not issue public congratulations for Biden’s victory, his phone call was interpreted as an act of support for the newly elected president.

In a customary congratulatory note for Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20, Pope Francis offered his prayers for Biden, asking specifically that his decisions would respect human life.

In his message, Pope Francis prayed that under Biden’s leadership, the American people would “continue to draw strength from the lofty political, ethical and religious values that have inspired the nation since its founding.”

Pope Francis continued: “At a time when the grave crises facing our human family call for farsighted and united responses,” I pray that your decisions will be guided by a concern for building a society marked by authentic justice and freedom, together with unfailing respect for the rights and dignity of every person, especially the poor, the vulnerable and those who have no voice.”

Although abortion and life issues were not mentioned in the White House statement on the Oct. 29 meeting, Biden’s pro-abortion policies have been a point of contention among many Catholics in the United States, including some bishops.

That was an underlying issue in the lead-up to the meeting, as the U.S. bishops are set to meet Nov. 15-18 for their fall general assembly, during which they are expected to vote on a “teaching document on the Eucharist.” The decision to draft this document was made during the bishops’ spring assembly.

Friday’s meeting between Biden and Pope Francis was preceded by a commotion among the Vatican press corps when the Vatican announced, then canceled, a live video feed of the event.

Usually, for visits of heads of state such as this, a live feed is available from the moment of arrival until the two men enter the papal library for their closed-door meeting, picking back up again for the pope’s meeting of the delegation and the exchange of gifts between the two leaders.

The Vatican had originally announced that the live feed would be available, but one day prior to the event, they said this feed would be canceled, showing only Biden’s arrival at the Vatican’s outer courtyard, with edited footage being provided later.

In their official explanation for the cancellation of the feed, the Vatican said they are sticking to the outdoor arrival in keeping with new post-Covid protocols, which left many Vatican journalists questioning why the feed was announced in the first place and then canceled.

Currents News Update for Thursday, 10/28/21

More than a hundred thousand kids may not be showing up for public school.

Fire union officials took the vaccine battle to Gracie Mansion Thursday to protest Mayor De Blasio’s mandate.

A momentous day Friday for the White House and the Vatican.

Why the Historic Meeting Between President Biden and Pope Francis Won’t Be Broadcasted Live

Currents News Staff

The Holy Father and President Biden have met three times before. But Friday, Oct. 29 will be a historic face-to-face and yet we won’t see much of it. That’s because the Vatican has canceled the planned live broadcast of the meeting.

It’s just the latest restriction to media coverage. The Vatican press office didn’t provide any explanation as to why the much-anticipated visit between Pope Francis and President Joe Biden wouldn’t be broadcasted live.

Instead, the Vatican said it’ll provide edited footage after all is said and done. Their meeting comes amid controversy. Some U.S. bishops have called out Biden over his pro-abortion policies. But Vatican experts, like John Allen from Crux, says that’s not likely to come up during this meeting.

“In terms of the pope’s social justice agenda, more or less, President Biden is on board,” John said. “There are obvious areas of disagreement, beginning with the life issues, abortion and gay marriage and so on, but neither Pope Francis nor Biden are particularly inclined to emphasize those things.”

Instead, Biden and Pope Francis are expected to focus on policy issues like COVID-19, the climate crisis, and promoting common policies to care for the poor.

“There is a structural relationship between the United States and the Vatican that dates back decades,” John said, “and it centers on non-political issues, like human trafficking, like humanitarian relief after natural disasters, like getting visas for migrants so they can get out of conflict zone. The United States has enormous political leverage, and the Vatican has enormous moral leverage, and this about cementing that partnership.”

The meeting comes only weeks before the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will meet to discuss drafting a teaching document on communion, and whether pro-abortion Catholics should participate in it.

In September, the pontiff was asked about the situation while returning to Rome from his apostolic visit to Slovakia.

“Be a pastor,” Pope Francis said. “And a pastor knows what he should do in every situation. But as a pastor, if he moves away from the church’s pastoral approach, then he immediately becomes a politician. And you will see this in all the denunciations, in all the non-pastoral condemnations that the Church makes.”

DOE Attendance Records Remain a Mystery as Parents, Elected Officials Make a Push for Transparency

By Jessica Easthope

If students aren’t in school – where are they? Parents, elected officials and the public have no idea because New York City’s Department of Education won’t say.

“With attendance, them not knowing if she’s even there, that was even more frustrating,” said Lisa Muller Leo, a parent at St. Mel’s Catholic Academy in Flushing who sent her daughter to public school for kindergarten last year.

Lisa said she couldn’t bear another day of sending her daughter to a school that wasn’t accountable for where she was.

“Those DOE standards they don’t make sense,” she said, “they’re not protecting our children and they’re not fighting for our kids’ education.”

Some reports estimate there might be 150,000 DOE students who aren’t showing up for school and some who have yet to step foot in their classrooms this year. Lisa said when it came to her five-year-old, the DOE couldn’t tell the difference.

“October rolls around and I get an email saying your child is getting COVID tested today, they don’t know who’s in the school as far as they know they have my daughter sitting in the classroom,” said Lisa.

Earlier this month, Brooklyn Councilman Mark Treyger introduced a package of bills that would require the DOE to release detailed attendance records.

“Where are our children? There are some schools where attendance is at 40 percent. That’s an emergency, that’s a crisis,” Councilman Treyger said.

At St. Mel’s, only a parent can call a student out of school and every absence must be excused. Teachers mark attendance and then that data gets put electronically in the school’s system.

“We need to make sure we’re accountable for where they are and their wellbeing during that time so we need to make sure we keep very accurate records,” said principal Amy Barron.

And Councilman Treyger says Catholic schools have been able to communicate seamlessly with parents.

“Kudos to the Catholic schools, they’ve done a phenomenal job and the DOE has done a horrible job,” he said.

The DOE has until October 31 to disclose attendance records to the state for funding, but the public could still be in the dark. Councilman Treyger says he’s expecting his bills to be up for a vote early next month.

Currents News Update for Wednesday, 10/27/21

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we’ll introduce you to a Brooklyn man who raised so much money for the American Cancer Society’s campaign, he ranks as a top ten national supporter.

President Biden is about to depart for his first face-to-face with Pope Francis as Commander In Chief.

“The Rally Nuns” are making their voices heard at the World Series.

American Cancer Society Top Fundraiser and Brooklyn Native Promotes Breast Cancer Awareness Month

By Jessica Easthope

1 in 8 – that’s the number of women who will be affected by breast cancer in their lifetime.

It’s not exactly a comforting statistic, but across the country, the American Cancer Society has millions of volunteers raising money every day to aid research, improve access to healthcare and offer life-changing support. One of the nation’s top donors is from right here in Brooklyn.

“You walk down a street in Brooklyn and the likelihood is that five or six women on your block are going to be impacted so it’s not numbers it’s people,” said Joe Gillette. “Cancer doesn’t discriminate.”

Twelve years ago, Gillette, an attorney and volunteer, had never even heard of Relay for Life – American Cancer Society’s biggest fundraiser. But now he’s headed toward a milestone, having raised almost half a million dollars for the organization.

“It’s a global movement of people helping each other out, everybody is affected by cancer,” Joe said.

As he likes to say, Joe puts the fun in fundraising, bringing a goofy flare to events that get people motivated. He’s proud of the number he can put on the money he’s raised but even more proud of what can’t be measured.

“You sit back and you see the relationships and the good that it does and you could never put a value on that,” he said, “a voice for someone, that’s the greatest reward of all.”

This month it’s all for breast cancer. The money Joe raises will go toward research into what causes breast cancer, developing new imaging technology and clinical trials.

“Use the colors and the months as a means to spread awareness but don’t cut off your volunteerism at the end of the month,” Joe said of the time dedicated to breast cancer.

More than 43,000 women will die from breast cancer this year. Joe knows their fears, their fight and their faith doesn’t end in October.

Currents News Update for Tuesday, 10/26/21

Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a State of Emergency as rain continues to come down across the region.

New York’s police union is asking a judge to allow unvaccinated officers to stay on the job despite the mandate.

The situation in Haiti is getting dire as gangs block fuel supplies from badly needed hospitals.

Basement Renters Fear Tropical Storm Ida Repeat after City’s Nor’easter Advisory

By Jessica Easthope

It’s a scene fresh in the minds of New Yorkers – streets flooded, apartments destroyed and people left with nothing – and now fears are repeating.

Last month, Tropical Storm Ida swept through the area leaving behind a trail of damage. Thirteen people across the city died, 11 were Queens residents who drowned at home in illegally-converted basement apartments.

“People are very afraid, especially immigrants,” said Angel Diaz, a social justice and housing minister and advocate. “They don’t have the resources and many lost their belongings. They don’t have documentation. They need housing and many times they have large families.”

It’s estimated there are around 200,00 illegal basement apartments in New York City. Residents, often undocumented immigrants struggling to overcome skyrocketing rent and the city’s housing crisis are being driven below ground but as weather events become increasingly dangerous due to climate change they’re trapped.

“They have no choice, often paying exorbitant rent and help landlords legalize those apartments,” Angel said.

During this nor’easter, city officials advised residents of basement apartments to be ready “to move to a higher floor during periods of heavy rain” but social justice and housing advocates say it’s not that simple.

“It’s a last minute decision – where is a family supposed to go,” Angel asked.

And after Ida, the city began taking inventory.

“It is absolutely moving right now. It is a big undertaking. Our perfect world here is to catalog each and every basement apartment,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio, Tuesday, Oct. 26.

Mayor de Blasio said the count is expected to be finished in six to eight months – ahead of next hurricane season.

Police Stop Demonstrators in St. Peter’s Square Protesting Against Cuban Dictatorship

Currents News Staff

At the end of the Pope’s Angelus, a chant broke out among the crowd.

“Freedom, freedom, freedom…”

There were between 100 and 200 Cubans who had arrived from different countries in Europe to protest against the dictatorship, repression and political prisoners in Cuba.

Following protocol, the police did not allow the political protesters into St. Peter’s Square for the Pope’s Angelus.

And those who did make it into the Square had their flags confiscated.

The demonstrators lay on the ground in support of the more than 500 Cubans who were arrested following the protests in July.

The Vatican opposes violent repression and the suppression of freedom in Cuba and everywhere else, but it is nonetheless forbidden to use St. Peter’s Square for political protests.

The last time Pope Francis spoke about the situation in Cuba was in July, during the protests.

“I am also near to the dear Cuban people in these difficult moments, in particular to those families suffering the most,” said Pope Francis. “I pray that the Lord might help the nation build an increasingly just and fraternal society through peace, dialogue and solidarity.”

Since the end of August, groups of Cubans with Cuban flags have been attending some of the pontiff’s public events.

The Cuban people are dying because we lack freedom.

We come here every Wednesday and Sunday to ask for mercy and for him to intercede for the Cuban people.

“…Support, support for our people, who are dying.”

The Cuban opposition is rallying people on the island for another wave of protests on Nov. 15. But the Cuban government has prohibited them and called them illegal.

The Gut-Wrenching Story of a 15-Year-Old Haitian Kidnapping Victim

Currents News Staff

The entire country has fallen victim in some way. The economy is suffering, children fear walking to school and even to church. Everywhere people are worried that they could be next.

A 15-year-old schoolgirl was kidnapped in September and released seven days later after an unimaginable ordeal.

“About three men were holding my hands and feet,” the young girl said. “They raped me. They took me somewhere. And I entered inside of the house. They tore off my clothes. They blindfolded my eyes and just left enough for me to see.”

Her mother says the kidnappers demanded $50,000 dollars. The family banded together and sold everything they owned to get her back.

“They told me if I didn’t come to get her, they would kill her,” said the mother of the 15-year-old girl. “I didn’t have the money. I called my family from the countryside to help out. I negotiated with them for $20,000 Haitian dollars, but they rejected the offer. I then called my family; they sold what they had, and we settled on $30,000 Haitian dollars, and they told me they would release her.”

UNICEF says more than 100 Haitians have been abducted so far this year. The organization has provided victim’s counseling and relocation for this girl and her mom. They’ve been working with local NGO’s that cater to women in distress.

“Because we have received so many cases of kidnappings, the space has been reserved for 25 women,” said Coordinator Lamercie Charles Pierre.

Her NGO, Organization of Courageous Women in Action, is making space for more women.

“Now we have exceeded that number,” she said. “That’s why we have land. We will build a bigger center to welcome more women, more victims.”