Joe Biden and Pope Francis will be discussing "efforts to advance peace around the world" during their upcoming meeting. The U.S. president is also set to meet Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, just days before he leaves the White House in January.

On what may be his final overseas trip before leaving office, U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Italy in January to meet with Pope Francis and senior Italian officials, as announced by the White House on Thursday.

During the three-day trip, which is scheduled to begin on January 9, Biden will also hold meetings with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed.

In a phone call on Thursday, the president accepted an invitation to the Vatican and expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis for his ongoing advocacy to alleviate global suffering. This includes the Pope’s efforts to advance human rights and protect religious freedoms, according to a White House statement.

Biden, a devout Roman Catholic, and Pope Francis will discuss global peace initiatives during their meeting, Jean-Pierre stated. The two leaders last met in June of this year, after previously gathering at the Vatican in 2021.

The White House also noted that Biden’s discussions with Meloni will center around addressing significant global challenges, with a focus on Italy’s leadership during its G7 presidency.

This trip comes just days before Biden’s presidency concludes on January 20, when Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the next president.