Former United States President Joe Biden and Uganda’s Speaker of Parliament Anita Among shared a rare moment of warmth at the Vatican during the funeral rites for Pope Francis.
Photographs captured the two smiling together, despite underlying diplomatic tensions sparked by Washington’s recent sanctions against Ms. Among.
Dressed in a black outfit and a fascinator, Among was seen exchanging greetings with President Biden in St. Peter’s Square as mourners gathered to honor the late Pope.
Another photo showed President Biden taking a selfie with Uganda’s Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, further reflecting a cordial atmosphere amidst strained ties.
Last year, the Biden administration imposed sanctions on Ms. Among, freezing her assets and barring her entry into the United States over allegations of systemic corruption during her tenure as Parliament Speaker.
The sanctions, mirrored by the UK government, were largely linked to the iron sheets scandal, where aid meant for vulnerable Karamoja communities was allegedly diverted.
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Among, however, has repeatedly dismissed the accusations, claiming the sanctions are politically motivated and tied to her support for Uganda’s controversial anti-homosexuality law.
Despite the underlying political friction, the Vatican meeting highlighted a shared personal bond: both Biden and Among are devout Catholics who often express their faith publicly.
President Biden, the second Catholic to hold the US presidency after John F. Kennedy, has previously met Pope Francis in Rome.
Similarly, Among, who frequently references her Catholic upbringing, has undertaken pilgrimages to the Vatican, even taking her twin children for blessings from the Pope.
The interaction between Biden and Among — standing side-by-side under the bright Vatican sun, with red velvet chairs waiting for dignitaries — served as a powerful reminder that shared faith and mourning can bridge political divides.
Though brief and informal, observers noted the symbolic weight of their encounter.
Mr Tayebwa’s selfie moment with Biden added a personal, light-hearted touch to the solemn proceedings, hinting at Uganda’s ongoing attempts to maintain diplomatic engagement despite sanctions and criticisms.
The Vatican funeral drew leaders from across the globe, thousands of faithful, and top government officials for a final tribute to Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for over a decade.
For Uganda’s delegation, led by Among and Tayebwa, it was a poignant moment for reflection and perhaps a subtle exercise in quiet diplomacy amid the grandeur of St Peter’s Basilica.
Standing amidst the towering Renaissance architecture and statues of saints, Biden and Among seemed, if only for a moment, to set aside geopolitics in honour of their shared faith and the memory of a revered spiritual leader.
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