Pope Francis said that he is praying that God would guide U.S. President Joe Biden's efforts to bring reconciliation in the United States, as the United States Bishops condemn Biden's pro-choice stance on abortion.

Officials from the Vatican initially held back a statement from the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops, containing a caution to Catholics that the incoming Biden administration has an extreme anti-Catholic policy agenda.

The Bishops' statement has now been released after Pope Francis came out with his own message for Biden, according to The Federalist report.

Conference President Archbishop Jose Gomez discussed the church's position on abortion, gender, and religious liberty. The statement also warned that the Biden administration's policies would cause moral evils on several fronts.

Sources in the Vatican Secretariat of State and sources among the U.S. Bishops confirmed that the statement was being held hours before it was due to be released on Wednesday morning.

Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, New Jersey was among those who objected to the release, including Cardinal Blasé Cupich of Chicago.

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Pope Francis' Message

Meanwhile, Pope Francis' message includes hope for Biden that he would work towards a society marked by justice, freedom, as well as respect for the rights and dignity of every person, according to a Reuters report.

"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," Francis was quoted on a report.

Pope Francis said in a message that he also asks God to guide his efforts to foster understanding, reconciliation, and peace within the United States.

Biden's Stance

Biden is the second United States Catholic president after John F. Kennedy.

The U.S. Bishops' said they planned to engage the administration on issues including abortion, religious freedom, racism, and poverty, according to Catholic News Agency report.

Cupich was said to disapprove of the language referring to abortion as a problem with the Biden administration.

The president has vowed to support taxpayer-funded abortion, among other pro-abortion policies.

In the U.S. Bishops' statement, Gomez said abortion is not a private matter but an issue of social justice. He added that it is impossible to ignore the truth that abortion rates are much higher among the poor and minorities.

Gomez also noted that the procedure is regularly used to abort children who would be born with disabilities.

Gomez also added that one of their concerns is abolishing the death penalty and seeking a health care system and economy that benefits a person.

During the USCCB's annual general assembly last fall, Gomez also criticized Biden's opinion on abortion and religious liberty, according to a National Review report.

Gomez further said that Biden's administration policies would likely challenge their priority to eliminate abortion.

Biden earlier said that reproductive rights are a constitutional right.

"And, in fact, every woman should have that right," Biden was quoted on a Harper's Bazaar report.

Biden also said that he wants to build on the progress made by the Affordable Care Act, which will cover preventive care and contraceptives.

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