Full Text of Pope Francis’ Message To Honorable Joseph R Biden President Of The United States Of America

President Joe Biden, his wife Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, stand in front of the Washington Monument Jan. 19 ahead of Biden's remarks on COVID-19. (CNS/Reuters/Tom Brenner)

I

t is customary for the pope to send a congratulatory note to the new president on the date of his inauguration not only because Joe Biden is a Catholic. Pope Francis also sent a message of good wishes to President Trump on the day of his inauguration.

Full Text of Pope Francis’ Message To Honorable Joseph R. Biden President Of The United States Of America

The Honorable Joseph R Biden President of the United States of America

The White House

Washington, DC

On the occasion of your inauguration as the forty-sixth President of the United States of America, I extend cordial good wishes and the assurance of my prayers that Almighty God will grant you wisdom and strength in the exercise of your high office.

Under your leadership, may the American people continue to draw strength from the lofty political, ethical and religious values that have inspired the nation since its founding.

At a time when the grave crises facing our human family call for farsighted and united responses, I pray that your decisions will be guided by a concern for building a society marked by authentic justice and freedom, together with unfailing respect for the rights and dignity of every person, especially the poor, the vulnerable and those who have no voice. I likewise ask God, the source of all wisdom and truth, to guide your efforts to foster understanding, reconciliation and peace within the United States and among the nations of the world in order to advance the universal common good.

With these sentiments, I willingly invoke upon you and your family and the beloved American people an abundance of blessings.

FRANCISCUS PP.