Pope Francis congratulates, blesses fellow Catholic Joe Biden. The pair agree on some issues — but abortion isn't one of them.
Pope Francis congratulated fellow Catholic Joe Biden during a call Thursday morning, according to a Biden-Harris Transition statement.
What did they talk about?
The statement said Biden "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."
The former vice president — who on Saturday was declared the winner of the 2020 election over President Donald Trump by numerous media outlets, although Trump is disputing the vote count — also "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," the statement added.
Biden would be the second Catholic president in U.S. history, following John F. Kennedy, National Public Radio said.
The rest of the story
NPR also characterized Biden as a "deeply devout person of faith" who "often delivers speeches with references to biblical language or the pope."
But given that Biden staunchly favors abortion rights — a distinctly non-Catholic position — prominent Catholic church officials don't view Biden as someone who takes faith seriously.
According to LifeSite News, Cardinal Raymond Burke just days before the election gave a failing grade to Biden's positions on life, marriage, and the family.
"I can't imagine that he would present himself as a devout Catholic," Burke said of Biden. "He has a record which is unfortunately perfect in promoting the attack on the innocent defense of the unborn. … He is also not correct on the issues with regard to marriage and the family. ... The great darkness in our nation comes from the wholesale slaughter of the unborn, also the attack on the family, all this gender theory … and now the attack on religious freedom."
And while Biden in April called abortion an "essential health care service" during a conversation with former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, Pope Francis decried that specific view in a United Nations address in September.
"Unfortunately, some countries and international institutions are also promoting abortion as one of the so-called 'essential services' provided in the humanitarian response to the pandemic," the pope said, according the Catholic News Agency.
Biden has at times claimed he is personally opposed to abortion, LifeSite News said in separate story, but has drifted leftward on the issue over the years. The outlet said Biden in June 2019 reversed his stance on the Hyde Amendment, which bans federal funding for most abortions, and explained that "circumstances have changed." Indeed, Biden announced his candidacy for president in late April.
How would their differing views on abortion affect Biden's relationship with Pope Francis in the future? Well, LifeSite News also said that Biden — commenting late last year on a priest who denied him Communion — claimed that "it's not a position that I've found anywhere else, including from the Holy Father, who gives me Communion."
Former President George W. Bush congratulates Joe Biden, saying election 'outcome is clear'
Former President George W. Bush said that he called Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden over the weekend to congratulate Biden after several media outlets declared the former vice president the victor in his White House bid against President Donald Trump.
Bush — who won his first term in 2000 after a recount in Florida — said President Trump is entitled to do the same, but that the 2020 election "outcome is clear."
What are the details?
Bush issued a statement saying that he had called Biden and his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris (Calif.), on Sunday to extend his well wishes.
"Though we have political differences, I know Joe Biden to be a good man, who has won his opportunity to lead and unify our country," Bush wrote, according to CNN. "[Biden] reiterated that while he ran as a Democrat, he will govern for all Americans. I offered him the same thing I offered Presidents Trump and Obama: My prayers for his success, and my pledge to help in any way I can."
The former president also congratulated Trump in his statement, noting that the current president "earned the votes of more than 70 million Americans — an extraordinary political achievement."
He added, "They have spoken, and their voices will continue to be heard through elected Republicans at every level of government."
President Bush acknowledged, "President Trump has the right to request recounts and pursue legal challenges, and any unresolved issues will be properly adjudicated."
President Trump has refused to concede the race as vote counting continues in a number of states, while Vice President Mike Pence insists the race "ain't over." The president's campaign has filed multiple lawsuits over alleged voting irregularities.
Anything else?
Bush is the only living former Republican president, and he was joined by a few GOP senators in congratulating Biden on the apparent win declared in the media.
Politico noted:
Trump has had a tense relationship with the Bush family. He branded former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida as "low energy" during the 2016 Republican presidential primary, blamed George W. Bush for the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and mocked his father, former President George H.W. Bush, for his "thousand points of light" volunteerism program. George W. Bush didn't support the president's reelection.
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