“We share the sentiments of Pope Francis, who said that vaccination is a moral obligation that can save you and others’ lives,” the president said.
video posted on his Twitter account. “By being vaccinated and encouraging your congregations and communities to be vaccinated, not only can we defeat this virus, but we can also start the day in a hurry to celebrate the holiday together.”
The first lady said there was “hope around us” and mentioned that families were receiving financial aid, that businesses were recovering and that there was an increase in Americans receiving vaccinations against the virus.
The Bidens’ message comes as health officials rush to vaccinate as many Americans as possible amid concerns about a possible fourth-wave coronavirus infections. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Saturday that more than 4 million doses of coronavirus vaccine were administered within 24 hours, setting a new record and averaging more than 3 million per day in seven days. brought.
Across the country, about 165 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered, according to data published by the agency on Sunday. About 32% of the population – 106 million people – have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 18.5% of the population – about 61 million people – have been fully vaccinated. Data published by the CDC may be delayed, and doses may not have been given on the day it was reported.
Biden is the second Catholic president in U.S. history, and the weekly Mass is expected to be a regular part of his schedule. It is a measure of devotion to regular religious services, not seen by recent presidents, who were professing Christians, but occasionally went to church or worshiped privately while in office.
The president, who is spending the holidays in Camp David with his family, has empathy with families across the country who are not celebrating together due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“The virus is not gone and so many of us still feel the longing and loneliness of distance,” Biden said. “For a second year most will not discern their families, friends, full congregations that we fill with joy. But as the Gospel of John reminds us, the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.
Vice President Kamala Harris also
a video released wishes the country a happy Easter and says there is ‘always reason for hope’.
“Today we celebrate hope and our confidence in renewal. Hope in the number of people who have now been vaccinated, and are now safer from this virus,” Harris said. “Hope for the children who go back to school for the first time in a year. Hope for the grandparents who can embrace their grandchildren for the first time in a year. Hope for a brighter tomorrow for all of us.”
She added that Biden and the president’s wife are looking forward to launching the White House’s annual Easter egg roll next year, which was canceled again due to the pandemic.
This story has been updated.
CNN’s Chandelis Duster, Madeline Holcombe, Ray Sanchez and Naomi Thomas contributed to this report.
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