The President-elect of the USA, His Excellency Mr. Joe Biden, sent a reply letter to His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, to whom he expressed his warm thanks for the congratulatory letter sent to him by His All-Holiness immediately after his electoral victory. 

In his letter, Mr Biden states: 

“Your All Holiness, 

“Thank you for your kind words and well-wishes. I am sorry that we have not yet had the opportunity to connect by phone. 

“It is my great honor to have been elected the next President of the United States, and I understand just how much work lies ahead of us. Vice President-elect Harris and I will take office at a time of great global challenges – from the coronavirus to climate change – that transcend borders and require international cooperation. We look forward to working with you during this difficult moment. 

“Thank you again, Your All Holiness. I look forward to future dialogue. 

“Sincerely, Joe” 

In a handwritten postscript, the US President-elect wrote to the Ecumenical Patriarch: “Stay well. We need your leadership.”