Joe Biden’s 85-Vehicle Convoy Sparks Outrage As He Drives Through Rome To Meet With Pope Francis

President Joe Biden crisscrossed Rome in an 85-car presidential convoy to begin a journey that would end with a climate summit in Glasgow. It was required since Italy’s lockup rules allow just three non-cohabiting individuals, including the driver, to remain in a vehicle at the same time. The president is always accompanied by a large group of advisers, military officials, and medical personnel. 

But this time, his entourage was beefed up much more for his fourth audience with Pope Francis. While in Rome, a medieval city with very tiny streets, Biden’s convoy was delayed by Italian COVID-19 regulations that limit passengers to four per car.

Biden almost always travels in ‘the Beast,’ and his convoy usually includes a second fully armoured presidential limo.

It also comprises special communications vehicles, an ambulance, police escorts, and cars carrying armed agents, as well as vans carrying photographers and journalists who follow the president everywhere he goes.

Every administration’s advisers want to attend a meeting with the Pope, and Biden’s was no exception. According to the White House manifest, Biden led a group of a dozen persons, including the first lady, White House physician Dr Kevin O’Connor, security advisor Jake Sullivan, and senior advisor Mike Donilon. Senior officials accompanying the president were Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, among others.

And all of the big shots meant even more automobiles. The president was accompanied by an 85-car convoy, according to a pool reporter. A Washington Post journalist in Rome shared a video of the lengthy procession on Twitter.

It was difficult to calculate the fleet’s carbon footprint, despite the fact that many of the vehicles are gas-guzzlers powered by the Beast’s claimed 244-horsepower engine, which must tow an eight-inch Cadillac coating.

The motorcade took Biden to a meeting with Pope Francis, who has garnered millions of supporters with his humble approach to the papacy. Pope Francis has also spoken extensively about the dangers posed by climate change. Biden aims to tout $550 billion in new environmental projects in his Build Back Better framework, which he introduced before flying to Rome on Air Force One, during the next environmental summit (another gas guzzler).

The Pope was also seen driving around in his vehicle on Friday. He sat in the back seat of a Fiat.