Pope Francis’ doctor dies from COVID-19 ‘complications’

The President-elect is set for his inauguration next week, after securing an overwhelming victory in last year’s US election. Although he enjoyed huge wins with a number of different demographics in the vote, reports prior to the election showed Mr Biden had struggled to win over support from groups such as white evangelical Christians – who backed incumbent US President Donald Trump. According to the Pew Research Centre, 78 percent of white evangelicals supported Mr Trump, with 53 percent of non-evangelical white Protestants and 52 percent of white Catholics also voting for him.

These numbers are similar to the 2016 election, when he saw off the challenge of Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Throughout his career Mr Biden has spoken passionately about his Catholic faith, yet worshippers still opted for Mr Trump, who once claimed his parents “taught me the importance of faith and prayer from a young age”.

With Mr Biden now just days away from office, author Lynda Telford is unsure whether the 78-year-old can gather more Catholic voters, particularly as some views from within the Vatican are critical of the President-elect.

Ms Telford exclusively told Express.co.uk that while Pope Francis, head of the Vatican, would be happy to have a “calmer influence” in charge of the US, it wasn’t clear whether Mr Biden would be the right man.

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The writer of Women of the Vatican – Female Power in a Male World – said: “I think generally the Vatican is wanting peace and quiet now.

“I think Mr Trump has been seen as very charismatic – that’s his stock and trade really – but it doesn’t really wash for a President.

“I think they want someone more stable. With Mr Biden they’re not too convinced of his capabilities [to help the church].

“But nonetheless he gives this stability and family responsibility aura which Mr Trump never did.”

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Previously, Ms Telford argued that many bishops within the church continue to oppose Mr Biden, as a result of his stance on abortion rights.

Mr Biden has been outspoken in his support for abortion, leading critics within the church, and worshippers themselves, to take aim at the Democrat.

Francis is also pro-abortion, and Ms Telford hinted that he was gradually getting rid of opposition to the rule from within the church itself.

She added: “Some bishops are still making it the preeminent priority, but Francis has been appointing bishops who share his more liberal views, to counter this.

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“He emphasises climate change, economic equality and the problem of families being separated, especially immigrants.

“He says these issues also threaten the ‘sanctity of life’ and he has criticised policies and others who are ignoring these issues.”

Previously, Mr Biden attracted anger from anti-abortion groups such as Live Action, whose founder Lila Rose vented her frustration on Twitter last year.

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She said: “You cannot claim to be a practising Catholic and support the slaughter of children in the womb.

“To do so is heinous and despicable. And you cannot claim you ‘didn’t know’ when your faith, and basic moral law, is telling you loud and clear: You shall not kill.”

Estimates show that in the US Catholics make up around 20 percent of the overall vote share, so is a key group for potential Presidents to target.

In his acceptance speech in November, Mr Biden moved to further demonstrate his religious values by quoting Ecclesiastes, one of the ‘Wisdom’ books of the Old Testament.

He said: “The Bible tells us that to everything there is a season – a time to build, a time to reap, a time to sow. And a time to heal. This is the time to heal in America.”

Writing for Christian Post, Mr Biden explained how his “faith drilled into me a core truth… that every person on Earth is equal”.

He added in October: “These are the principles that will shape all that I do, and my faith will continue to serve as my anchor, as it has my entire life.”

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