The Vatican has taken the first main step to implement Pope Francis’ wish that Belgium’s late king be beatified.

“The president thanked the pope for his continued advocacy to alleviate global suffering, including his work to advance human rights and protect religious freedoms,” the statement read. “President Biden also graciously accepted His Holiness Pope Francis’ invitation to visit the Vatican next month.”

Pope Francis has appointed a new bishop to a Texas-based diocese who will replace a theologically conservative critic of the pontiff removed from office last year.

Joe Biden's visit with Pope Francis will be part of a three-day trip to Italy in January, likely the last international trip of Biden's presidency.

President Joe Biden is expected to announce soon that he will visit the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis next month for what would likely be the final international trip of his presidency

The Vatican has taken the first main step to implement Pope Francis ... is long behind us.” Francis has strongly backed the Catholic Church’s opposition to abortion and long equated it ...

The Vatican has taken the first main step to implement Pope Francis' wish that Belgium's late king be beatified for having abdicated for a day rather than approve legislation to legalize abortion. Des

President Joe Biden will visit the Rome and Vatican City next month in what will likely be his last presidential mission overseas, as he tries to solidify his legacy on the world stage.Most Read from

ROME — The Vatican has taken the first main step to implement Pope Francis ... long behind us.” Francis has strongly backed the Catholic Church’s opposition to abortion and long equated ...

denounced Belgium’s abortion laws as “homicidal” and announced he wanted to beatify the late king. FILE - Pope Francis waves as he arrives to lead the holy mass , at the King Baudouin ...

He made the remarks a day after the start of the Roman Catholic Church’s Holy Year, known as a Jubilee, which takes place every quarter century. On Tuesday evening, Francis opened the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica so that the first pilgrims could go through. Millions more are expected to follow over the year.

Pope Francis called for cease-fires for the conflicts in Ukraine and in the Middle East during his Christmas message in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.