That report appears to be based solely on VP Biden’s claim. I’m trying to confirm that claim.
You and I noticed the same thing. Unfortunately, every single Catholic commentator and blogger I've read is taking it on face value that it did happen. Case in point, Matthew Archbold reports:
As expected, pro-abortion politicians from the U.S. received communion during the Pope's inaugural mass yesterday.Of course, this is not a uniquely American problem. Countries from all over the world sent delegations to the inaugural mass and probably more than a few contained pro-abortion pols. Now I don't know if any announcement was made at the hugely attended mass about those, in general terms, that are not prepared to receive communion should abstain. They do this at Christmas and weddings now, thankfully, so I hope they did it there.
At the very least, the Pope avoided the dreaded photo-op of giving communion to one of these pro-abortion pols by not distributing communion himself.