Biden speaks with Pope Francis

President elect Joe bidenJoe Biden Brewery Launches New Biden Beer Described As ‘Harmless And Not Too Bitter’ Deb Haaland Says ‘Of Course’ She Would Serve As Home Secretary Under Biden State Department Won’t Give messages to Biden from foreign leaders: MORE report speak with Pope FrancisPope Francis vows to end church sex abuse over McCarrick report Vatican report says Pope John Paul II warned about McCarrick, exonerates Pope Francis Tropical storm Eta hits the Florida Keys, which should strengthen MORE Thursday, the latest in a string of calls he has held with global figures since being declared the winner of the presidential race.

“The elected president thanked His Holiness for his blessings and congratulations and noted his appreciation for His Holiness leadership in promoting peace, reconciliation and common bonds of humanity across the world,” said Biden’s transition team said in a read from the phone call Thursday afternoon.

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, tackling the crisis climate change and the reception and integration of immigrants and refugees in our communities, ”the reading continues.

Biden, who is the second Catholic to be elected president in U.S. history, has already received congratulations from religious leaders after being declared president-elect on Saturday.

Biden has held calls with leaders of France, Germany, UK, Canada, Ireland, Japan, South Korea and Australia over the past three days. He also announced a team of coronavirus advisers and appointed his chief of staff Ron Klain on Wednesday as he prepares to move into the White House next year.

Biden’s team continued their transition efforts despite President TrumpDonald John Trump State Department Won’t Give Biden Messages From Foreign Leaders: Arizona GOP AG Report Says People Voted Republican, But Not Trump On The Money: Biden Wins US Economic Engines | Progressives hail Biden’s picks for the economic transition team | Restaurants go seasonal with winter closures during pandemicrefusal to concede the election to Biden while increasing disputes over the results. The Trump campaign has filed lawsuits in Pennsylvania and Michigan, alleging voting irregularities and fraud, and pushed for recounts in some states. It is largely doubtful that the efforts, even if successful, will change the outcome of the presidential race.

The General Services Administration (GSA) has also so far refused to certify Biden as the winner of the election, preventing him from accessing resources to facilitate the transition. Biden did not have access to classified intelligence reports.