The President of the USA, Joe Biden, is to visit the Pope in the Vatican, in what is expected to be his last trip abroad as President of the USA. On January 20, the election winner Donald Trump will be installed and move into the White House.
Biden, who is himself a Catholic, accepted the invitation after a conversation with the Pope on Thursday.
"The President thanked the Pope for his continued efforts to alleviate global suffering, including his work to promote human rights and protect religious freedom", it says in a statement from the White House.
Biden will also meet with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella during the trip, which takes place between January 9 and 12.
