Vice President Biden shook hands with newly elected Pope Francis on Tuesday morning during the pontiff's formal installation.
Biden led the U.S. delegation to the Vatican for the pope's inaugural mass that included House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez (R).
"We invited the American cardinals to a reception," Biden said to Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic on Monday about the papal mass, according to a pool report. "So unless I'm prepared to join the Eastern Orthodox Church, as a Roman Catholic, I'd better show up or I'll lose my soul."
A group of House members led by Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) also traveled to Rome for the occasion.
