WASHINGTON ― President Joe Biden will no longer travel to Rome this week as previously planned to meet with Pope Francis and will instead remain focused on the wildfires in Los Angeles, the White House said late Wednesday.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said after returning Wednesday evening from Los Angeles that Biden “made the decision to cancel his upcoming trip to Italy to remain focused on directing the full federal response in the days ahead.”
In what would have been his last overseas trip as president, Biden had been set to depart Washington for Italy Thursday night to meet the pope this weekend before his presidential term ends Jan. 20. Jean-Pierre did not say whether the visit would be rescheduled in the waning days of his presidency. She said additional details will follow.
Biden received an in-person briefing Wednesday from local fire officials while in Los Angeles, which has been ravaged by multiple wildfires fueled by strong Santa Ana winds. Biden pledged the full support of the federal government in the battle to stop the spread of the fires and aid future recovery efforts.
Biden traveled to Los Angeles to dedicate the creation of two national monuments in the Eastern Coachella Valley. While there, he also welcomed his first great-grandchild as his eldest granddaughter, Naomi Biden, who resides in Los Angeles, gave birth to a baby boy.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: President Joe Biden cancels Italy trip to meet with Pope Francis
