U.S. President Joe Biden, a Catholic, refused to discuss the reasons why he supports abortion rights despite the Church's teaching, before boarding Marine One for a flight to Duluth on Wednesday, March 2.
"I don't want to get into a debate with you on theology," Biden said after being questioned by Owen Jensen, an EWTN correspondent, on how he is able to reconcile his Catholic faith with his public support for abortion. "I'm not going to make a judgment for other people."
Mr. Biden, who wore an ash cross on his forehead, said he had met with Cardinal Wilton Gregory of Washington, his bishop, earlier in the morning and had then received ashes.
Questioned by journalists, Mr. Biden said he had given up "all sweets" for Lent, including ice cream.
"And I am — you know me, I start with dessert," Biden said. "No ice cream. Nothing."
Biden, the second Catholic president, has had unwavering support for abortion rights as president and has refused to say whether he supports any restrictions on the procedure.
On Tuesday evening, during his first State of the Union address, Mr. Biden noted that "the constitutional right affirmed in Roe v. Wade, standing as precedent for half a century, is under attack as never before" and stated that "preserving a woman's right to choose" was a positive measure for the country's healthcare system.
The Catholic Church opposes deliberate abortion throughout pregnancy and teaches that life begins at conception.
On the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, Mr. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris issued a joint statement pledging to support codifying the Supreme Court's decision into law.
"The constitutional right established in Roe v. Wade nearly 50 years ago is under attack today as never before," the statement reads. "It is a right we believe should be codified into law, and we pledge to defend it with every tool we possess."
"We are deeply committed to protecting access to healthcare, including reproductive healthcare — and to ensuring that this country is not pushed backwards on women's equality," the statement continues.
During the 2020 election, Biden reversed his positions on the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions, within a 24-hour period. Biden had voted for and supported the Hyde Amendment throughout his tenure in the Senate and had reaffirmed his opposition to repealing the amendment when questioned by journalists on June 6, 2019.
The following day, Biden stated he had changed his mind and believed Hyde should be repealed.
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