Biden Sits in the Back Row at Pope Francis' Funeral — Ex-President, Not VIP

Joe Biden might have been a big name at Pope Francis' funeral in the Vatican on Saturday, but not being president anymore comes with its own seating chart reality check. The former president and his wife, Jill Biden, were spotted sitting toward the back of the foreign dignitaries section — a solid reminder that, once you leave the Oval Office, the 'cool kids club' moves on without you.

Biden and Jill weren't seated near President Donald Trump or other current world leaders. Instead, the Bidens were ushered to their seats by a priest and Jill herself, with Biden holding onto both and moving carefully. The visual was hard to miss, and the internet sure didn’t let it slide — images of Biden near the back row were all over X, with users quick to roast everything from his seat assignment to his apparent confusion. Because nothing gets past social media when a former president is in the house.

Despite the back row placement, Biden remained upbeat, chatting and snapping selfies with Uganda's Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, before the service got underway. He also posed for photos with other mourners, flashing a smile in every shot.

Biden, the second Catholic U.S. president, has a history with the Vatican. He last visited in October 2021 to talk about climate change and poverty with Pope Francis, and the two have met several times over the years, including just last June at the G7 Summit in Italy. Biden even presented the pope with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in January, calling him a "consequential" leader and praising his compassion and outreach across faiths.

Pope Francis, who had struggled with pneumonia and other health issues for years, died at 88 on the Monday after Easter. A Vatican official said he suffered a cerebral stroke leading to heart failure. Francis, the first Jesuit pope, was elected in 2013 and was known for his work with the poor and his efforts to build bridges between different communities. His last public appearance was just days before his passing, on Easter Sunday at St. Peter's Square.

Biden issued a heartfelt tribute, calling Pope Francis "one of the most consequential leaders of our time" and reflecting on the pope's lifelong dedication to the vulnerable.

For all the drama over seating arrangements, one thing's clear: the world keeps spinning, and the front row is always reserved for whoever's holding the keys to the White House.