Biden Makes Off-The-Cuff Comment to Pope France About Baseball

Joe Biden appeared to convey what looked to some observers as an awkward story regarding a black Major League Baseball player when he met Pope Francis at the Vatican on Thursday.

News of the story comes as reports noted that the Vatican canceled a live television broadcast of the meeting between the second Catholic president and the pontiff.

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“You’re the famous African-American baseball player in America,” Biden says as he leans in to speak to Francis after giving him a presidential challenge coin.

#BREAKING: President Biden tells Pope Francis a story about famous pitcher Satchel Paige. pic.twitter.com/UwJfCrjhUw

— Joanna Preston (@JoPrestonTV) October 29, 2021

Biden was talking about Satchel Paige, a trailblazing black MLB pitcher who he said could not get into the league until his mid-40s because of his skin color, before making a remark about both their ages.

“How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were? You’re 65. I’m 60,” said the president, noting that Francis is the “most significant warrior for peace I’ve ever met.”

“I know my son would want me to give this to you,” Biden continued, referring to his late son Beau Biden.

“The tradition is, and I’m only kidding about this, but next time I see you, if you don’t have it, you have to buy the drinks,” Biden said, in reference to the coin, depicting Biden’s home state of Delaware as well as a reference to his late son Beau’s military unit, the 261st Theater Tactical Signal Brigade. He added: “I’m the only Irishman you’ve ever met who’s never had a drink.”

ABC News reported:

The Vatican on Thursday abruptly canceled the planned live broadcast of U.S. President Joe Biden meeting Pope Francis, the latest restriction to media coverage of the Holy See that sparked complaints from White House- and Vatican-accredited journalists.

The live broadcast of Biden’s Friday visit was trimmed to cover just the arrival of the president’s motorcade in the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the revised plan reflected the “normal procedure” established during the coronavirus pandemic for all visiting heads of state or government.

That protocol also has meant an 18-month ban on any independent media being in the room for the beginning and end of the audience, as would normally be the case for a visiting head of state.

At one point, Biden was asked if the subject of abortion — which he supports — came up during his talks with the pontiff.

“No, it didn’t,” he said. “We just talked about the fact that he was happy that I was a good Catholic and … keep receiving communion.”

In the past, Francis has reiterated the Church’s strong opposition to abortion, calling it “murder.” He has also said, however, that bishops and priests should not be politicians.

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“The Vatican has provided live television coverage for the visits of major heads of state for years, including President Donald Trump, and had scheduled such coverage Friday for Biden and for South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who is also in Rome for a Group of 20 meeting,” ABC News added.

The San Francisco Chronicle noted that the meeting between Biden and Francis lasted about 75 minutes.

“The pair sat across from each other at a desk in the papal library, accompanied by a translator. They then proceeded to an exchange of gifts and a broader meeting including the first lady and top officials. The lengthy session put Biden more than an hour behind schedule,” the paper added.

In a statement, the White House gave a brief recap of the meeting.

“Biden thanked His Holiness for his advocacy for the world’s poor and those suffering from hunger, conflict, and persecution,” the White House said. “He 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.”

“The Irish brought whiskey,” Francis laughed in response.