U.S. & World News

It's not every kid who gets to say, "I'm a student at the president's high school alma mater."

Joe Biden became the second Catholic to be inaugurated as president of the United States Jan. 20, giving some U.S. Catholics and their religious leaders a reason to rejoice and others to fear more access to abortion under his leadership.

Bishops throughout the country welcomed the inauguration of Joe Biden as the nation's 46th president, saying it was a celebration of democracy and liberty, while praying for unity and reconciliation in the face of deep political divides.

After 17 seasons in the NFL, quarterback Philip Rivers will begin his next career as head football coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope in the Mobile Archdiocese.

Pope Francis prayed that President Joe Biden would work to heal the divisions in U.S. society and promote human dignity and peace around the globe.

As Joe Biden prepared to be inaugurated as the 46th U.S. president, Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed hope the incoming administration "will work with the Church and others of goodwill" to "address the complicated cultural and economic factors that are driving abortion and discouraging families."

In his inaugural address Jan. 20, President Joe Biden said he is committed with his "whole soul" to bring this country together.

Hours before his inauguration as president, Joe Biden and incoming Vice President Kamala Harris were joined by the spouses and congressional leaders from both political parties for what was termed a Mass of thanksgiving early Jan. 20 at St. Matthew Cathedral in Washington.