President Joe Biden is entering the final stretch of his one-term presidency with plenty to contemplate. With less than a month left before he exits the Oval Office, he has vocalized some regrets and reflections on his time as leader of the nation, including not signing his name to COVID relief checks and grappling with his long-standing reputation as the poorest lawmaker in Congress.
Looking toward the Vatican, where he plans to meet with Pope Francis next month, Biden's visit holds significance beyond the official focus on discussing world peace. According to sources close to the situation, he is also seeking solace and 'relief' as he prepares to leave the global stage.
Throughout his long political career, Biden has shared stories highlighting his upbringing and life experiences, which have framed how the public perceives him. Tales of overcoming childhood challenges with stuttering and personal tragedies, such as losing his first wife and two children, have underscored his resilience and capacity for empathy. Yet now, as he reflects on his presidency during the lame-duck phase, these insights take on different meanings.
Biden's recent admissions—his regrets concerning the lack of his signature on COVID relief checks—offer insights more about the political climate he faces today. It is markedly different from the one he entered after winning his first Senate seat back in 1972.
"Biden is also going to the Holy See to seek solace and 'relief' as he exits the world stage," reported sources, indicating the personal weight of this upcoming trip. The discussions he has had with Pope Francis have expanded beyond formal dialogues; they have built what some describe as a friendship. This unique relationship enables candid exchanges on broader issues and personal woes alike, reflecting on Biden's need for grounding as he navigates the turbulent waters of the current political environment.
Sources suggest Pope Francis has become not just a political ally but also a sounding board for Biden. Their informal conversations have served as check-ins, allowing Biden to voice both personal and professional concerns, which may provide him with comfort as he transitions out of the presidency.
Reflecting on how personal history molds public service, Biden's narrative of resilience, shaped by childhood struggles and tragedies, has developed over decades. He often references these pivotal moments during engagements, continually tying them back to his motivations as he served the nation. But as he ponders the closing chapter of his presidency, he's faced with new revelations about his impact—one shaped significantly by the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath.
The penitence Biden feels is indicative of the complicated legacy he will leave behind. Straddling the line between accomplishments and setbacks during his term, he deals with the external pressures of partisan politics, where ambitious plans like sweeping infrastructure initiatives were overshadowed by relentless partisan divisions.
One of Biden's most glaring regrets appears to hinge on the handling of COVID relief—a response he once believed would solidify his administration's legacy. Yet now, as millions of Americans dealt with the fallout from the pandemic, the lack of his physical signature on those checks has emerged as something he wishes could be different.
Looking forward, the significance of meeting Pope Francis should not be underestimated. A connoisseur of storytelling, Biden's encounters with the pontiff allow him to grapple with questions about his faith, morality, and the challenges facing the world today—ranging from climate change to social justice.
Through it all, he recognizes the foundation his experiences have laid for his role, but there are no easy answers or pathways to amend the choices he made—or didn't make—while leading the country. Yet, these reflective moments also give hope about what is yet to come. How Biden chooses to take these reflections forward, and whether they factor heavily on his future endeavors, remains to be seen.
His presidency has been marked by significant trials, successes, and lessons learned, but as Biden prepares to leave office, his reflections signal more than just closure. They are invitations for renewal—both personally and politically—as the nation braces for the transition toward whoever might step forward to fill the void left by his administration.
Indeed, Biden's time as president may soon conclude, but the conversations sparked, particularly ones with figures like Pope Francis, may leave lasting footprints far beyond the walls of the White House.
