The Church holds in high regard the sacred right and duty of all citizens “to use their free vote to further the common good” (Gaudium et Spes, 75). Therefore, “the Church praises and esteems the work of those who for the good of humankind devote themselves to the service of the state and take on the burdens of this office” (75).

Thus, we congratulate President-Elect Donald Trump and pray for his administration.

A hallmark of our Christian faith is that we are one. Our nation has experienced great division over the course of the political campaigns. Although the election has ended, our work as Catholics continues. It is time to heal the wounds.

I ask Catholics and all people of good will to unite to continue to forge one nation, subject to the rule of law and to unite as one American people, committed to the common good of these United States, with its government “of the people, by the people and for the people” (Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address).

Let us stand with Jesus who stands with the poor and vulnerable, the worker and the immigrant, the prisoner and the victim. Let us stand with the Creator who made sacred, holy, and good all creation and human life from its beginning to its natural end. Let us stand with the Holy Spirit who inspires us to work together to eradicate injustice, bigotry, and hatred at every level of human action.

We draw near to the close of the Year of Mercy, a Jubilee Year inspired by the work of Vatican II. Let us recommit ourselves to the Council’s vision of the role of the Church in the world, when it said: “There is no better way to establish political life on a truly human basis than by fostering an inward sense of justice and kindliness, and of service to the common good…” (Gaudium et Spes, 73).

May God bless you all and may all of our people come together as “one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.”