President-elect Joe Biden (D) spoke with Pope Francis to express his appreciation for Francis’ leadership and willingness to work with him during his upcoming presidency.
“The president-elect thanked His Holiness for extending blessings and congratulations and noted his appreciation for His Holiness’ leadership in promoting peace, reconciliation, and the common bonds of humanity around the world,” Biden’s team wrote in a statement Tuesday.
They added, “The president-elect expressed his desire to work together on the basis of a shared belief in the dignity and equality of all humankind on issues such as caring for the marginalized and the poor, addressing the crisis of climate change, and welcoming and integrating immigrants and refugees into our communities.”
NEW: President-Elect @JoeBiden spoke with Pope Francis this morning, per the transition
— Johnny Verhovek (@JTHVerhovek) November 12, 2020
A reminder Biden will be only the 2nd Catholic U.S. President pic.twitter.com/qR6tTQpErZ
Biden will become the second Catholic president following John F. Kennedy.
The former vice president’s conversation with Pope Francis comes just two days after he spoke with other world leaders.
Biden participated in congratulatory calls with leaders including President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, Taoiseach Micheál Martin of Ireland, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom.
He told them he is looking forward to strengthening relations between the United States and their nations.
Biden explained he is looking forward to working with them on shared interests, including combating the COVID-19 pandemic, moving toward economic recovery, and addressing climate change.
“The President-elect noted that he especially looks forward to working closely together on global challenges as the United Kingdom prepares to host the 2021 G-7 and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26),” Biden’s transition team said in a statement.
Biden said he is ready to work on “security and development in Africa, the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, and Iran’s nuclear program.”
He also said he is open to cooperate “with the UK, NATO, and the EU on shared trans-Atlantic priorities, and reaffirmed his support for the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland.”
