Joe Biden Applauds Pope Francis, Subtly Criticizes Donald Trump in New Op-Ed
Update Today News April 28,2025,1:30 pm
Former President Joe Biden condemned the "politics of dehumanization" in a USA TODAY op-ed Monday honoring the late Pope Francis — remarks that some interpreted as a subtle critique of his White House successor, Donald Trump.
Biden, a practicing Catholic, joined Trump and other world leaders over the weekend to attend the funeral of the 88-year-old pontiff. It was the first time the two political rivals — who have continued exchanging barbs — appeared at the same event since Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2025.
"Francis was a pope for our time, when so many leaders embraced cruelty. He stood for compassion," Biden wrote. "When so many casually embraced lies, he stood for truth."
Biden, who left office with a historically low 36% approval rating, also pointed to Francis' strong advocacy on global humanitarian issues, particularly his defense of migrants — a politically charged topic in the U.S.
"(Francis) called out the cruelty being inflicted on others," Biden wrote. "He spoke against the demonization of the weakest among us: 'How much contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized, and migrants!'"
Meanwhile, Trump has pushed new immigration measures aimed at deporting millions of undocumented immigrants. Among them is his controversial use of the rarely invoked 1798 Alien Enemies Act to expedite deportations of Venezuelan nationals suspected of gang affiliations.
"If we don't get these criminals out of our country, we are not going to have a country any longer," Trump posted on Truth Social on April 21.
Since leaving office, Biden has been increasingly direct in criticizing Trump, including accusing him of "taking a hatchet" to the Social Security Administration amid broader federal workforce cuts.
Trump, for his part, has remained relentless in his attacks on Biden, using speeches, social media, and executive actions to mock and criticize his predecessor.
During the White House’s annual Easter Egg Roll last week, Trump ridiculed Biden for needing help from an aide dressed in a bunny costume. "Do you remember the bunny with Joe Biden?" Trump asked a group of children. "Do you remember when the bunny took Joe Biden out? He’s not taking Trump out."
Biden remains a frequent target partly due to ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party, which continues searching for younger, more dynamic voices to counter Trump’s resurgence.
Following internal party concerns over his age and stamina during the 2024 election cycle, Biden faced mounting pressure and ultimately chose to end his reelection bid.
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