Pope Francis telephones Biden the new president of the United States

Alleged President-elect Joe Biden spoke with Pope Francis on Thursday, he announced his office. The Catholic, former vice president and presumed next president, congratulated the pope on his electoral victory on the morning of November 12.

“President-elect Joe Biden spoke with His Holiness Pope Francis this morning. The president-elect thanked His Holiness for offering blessings and congratulations and noted his appreciation for His Holiness's leadership in promoting peace, reconciliation and the common bonds of humanity around the world, "a team statement said. Biden-Harris transition.

"The president-elect expressed his desire to work together on the basis of a shared belief in the dignity and equality of all humanity on issues such as caring for the marginalized and the poor, addressing the climate change crisis and welcoming and integrating immigrants and refugees in our communities, ”the statement said.

Several media outlets have declared Biden the winner of the 2020 presidential election on November 7, although President Donald Trump has not yet conceded the race. Biden is the second Catholic to be elected president.

In a November 7 statement released by USCCB President Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, US bishops noted that "we recognize that Joseph R. Biden, Jr., has received enough votes to be elected 46th President of the States. United. "

"We congratulate Mr. Biden and acknowledge that he joins the late President John F. Kennedy as the second president of the United States to profess the Catholic faith," Gomez said.

"We also congratulate Senator Kamala D. Harris of California, who becomes the first woman ever elected as vice president."

Archbishop Gomez also called on all American Catholics "to promote fraternity and mutual trust".

“The American people have spoken in these elections. Now is the time for our leaders to come together in a spirit of national unity and to engage in dialogue and compromise for the common good, ”he said.

As of Thursday, 48 states have been called. Biden currently has 290 electoral votes, well over the 270 needed to win the election. President Trump, however, did not admit the election. His campaign has filed election-related lawsuits in several states, hoping to throw away allegedly fraudulent ballots and carry out a recount that could put him at the top of the Electoral College.

Although the US bishops' conference congratulated Biden on his victory, the bishop of Fort Worth, Texas asked for the prayer, saying the vote counts are not yet official.

"This is still a time of caution and patience, as the presidential election results have not been officially authenticated," Bishop Michael Olson said on November 8. He called on Catholics to pray for peace if the results are contested in court.

"It seems there will be recourse in the courts, so it is best for us in the meantime to pray for peace in our society and nation and that the integrity of our republic, a nation under God, can be maintained for the common good of all," said Bishop Olson.