World leaders congratulate newly inaugurated President Biden and Vice President Harris

World leaders, politicians and religious leaders congratulated the newly inaugurated President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in a series of messages on Thursday

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga

"Congratulations to President @JoeBiden and Vice President @KamalaHarris on your inauguration. Japan and the United States are allies tied firmly by bonds and shared universal values," Yoshihide Suga tweeted.

European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen, In A Tweet:

"The United States is back. And Europe stands ready. To reconnect with an old and trusted partner, to breathe new life into our cherished alliance. I look forward to working together with @JoeBiden."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Speaking In Parliament:

"I look forward to working with him (Biden), and with his new administration, strengthening the partnership between our countries and working on our shared priorities: from tackling climate change, building back better from the pandemic and strengthening our transatlantic security."

Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheál Martin: 

"Today a true friend of Ireland, Joe Biden, became the 46th president of the USA. As he said in his speech, it is a day of history and hope and I look forward to forging ever closer ties between our two great nations. Also, a historic day as Kamala Harris is sworn in as the first woman vice-president of the USA. I wish her and President Biden every success in meeting the challenges ahead."

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte: 

"This is a great day for democracy, reaching far beyond the American borders." 

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas: 

"Now it is time to seek common ground - the new US administration has already indicated a return to the WHO and Paris Agreement. We will not always agree with each other but we will never give up working on solutions."

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis: 

"It is with a sense of renewed optimism that we look forward to further strengthening the bonds and friendship between our two nations."

President of the European People's Party Donald Tusk: 

"We get to breathe fresh air again. Good luck Joe and Kamala!" 

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe:

"All the best for the US and Joe Biden's Government. US: Exemplary democracy and fundamental ally," Uribe tweeted in Spanish.

Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador:

He wished President-elect Joe Biden well ahead of his inauguration on Wednesday. During his daily briefing, Lopez Obrador also said the coronavirus pandemic, economic recovery and migration will be key areas of the bilateral relationship with the United States. "Those three themes are verry important: pandemic, economic recovery and migration," he said. Lopez Obrador also said Biden should take steps to settle the immigration status of Mexicans working in the US. 

Pakistan Prime Minster Imran Khan:

"I congratulate President @JoeBiden on his inauguration. Look forward to working with @POTUS in building a stronger Pak-US partnership through trade & economic engagement, countering climate change, improving public health, combating corruption & promoting peace in region & beyond," Imran Khan tweeted.

Indian Pime Minister Narendra Modi:

In a series of tweets, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his "warmest congratulations" to Biden and Harris.

Modi tweeted, "My warmest congratulations to @JoeBiden on his assumption of office as President of the United States of America. I look forward to working with him to strengthen India-US strategic partnership."

Pope Francis

The Vatican has published Pope Francis' message to President Joe Biden following his inauguration, extending "cordial good wishes and the assurance of my prayers that Almighty God will grant you wisdom and strength in the exercise of your high office."

"Under your leadership, may the American people continue to draw strength from the lofty political, ethical and religious values that have inspired the nation since its founding. At a time when the grave crises facing our human family call for farsighted and united responses, I pray that your decisions will be guided by a concern for building a society marked by authentic justice and freedom, together with unfailing respect for the rights and dignity of every person, especially the poor, the vulnerable and those who have no voice," it continues.

The message concludes: "I likewise ask God, the source of all wisdom and truth, to guide your efforts to foster understanding, reconciliation and peace within the United States and among the nations of the world in order to advance the universal common good. With these sentiments, I willingly invoke upon you and your family and the beloved American people an abundance of blessings."

Chile's President Sebastian Piñera

"Today @JoeBiden takes office as the 46th US President. His Administration will have the mission of healing the soul of the country and strengthening civic friendship. The commitment to democracy, freedom and human rights recognizes no borders. I wish President Biden the best," Sebastian Piñera tweeted

French President Emmanuel Macron, In A Tweet:

"Best wishes on this most significant day for the American people! We are together. We will be stronger to face the challenges of our time. Stronger to build our future. Stronger to protect our planet. Welcome back to the Paris Agreement!"

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, On Extending The New Start Arms Control Treaty, Speaking To Reporters:

"Russia and its president are in favour of preserving this agreement... If our American colleagues will in fact demonstrate a political will to preserve this pact by extending it, this can only be welcomed."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, In A Statement:

Canada and the United States "will continue this partnership as we fight the global Covid-19 pandemic and support a sustainable economic recovery that will build back better for everyone."

"We will also work together to advance climate action and clean economic growth, promote inclusion and diversity, and create good middle class jobs and opportunities for our people while contributing to democracy, peace, and security at home and around the world."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, In A Statement:

"Congratulations President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on your historic inauguration. President Biden, you and I have had a warm personal friendship going back many decades. I look forward to working with you to further strengthen the US-Israel alliance, to continue expanding peace between Israel and the Arab world, and to confront common challenges, chief among them the threat posed by Iran."

Netanyahu's office released a separate statement on Trump: "President Trump, thank you for all the great things you have done for Israel, especially your historic recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and bringing four peace agreements between Israel and the Arab world."

Palestinian Islamist Group Hamas Spokesman Fawzi Barhoum:

"There are no regrets at the departure of Trump, as he has been the biggest source and sponsor of injustice, violence and extremism in the world and the direct partner of the Israeli occupation in the aggression against our people."

"US President Joe Biden must reverse the course of misguided and unjust policies against our people and lay the foundations for security and stability in the region."

Belarus Opposition Leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (Exiled In Lithunia) On Twitter:

"Congratulations Joe Biden & Kamala Harris! Best wishes in your work on behalf of all United States people. Looking forward to working with you on developing relations between Belarus and US!"

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh, In A Tweet:

"The DIPLOMATIC VANDALISM of Trump, Pompeo & co stemmed partly from a broken institutional process. But that same process-when 'functional'-produced disasters like wars in Iraq, Afghanistan & Vietnam. The world knows that only the US can fix itself - in practice; not just words."

North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary General Jens Sroltenberg, In A Statement:

"I look forward to working closely with President Biden and welcoming him to the NATO Summit in Brussels later this year. Our focus will be NATO2030, the initiative to make our strong Alliance even stronger and fit for the future."

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General Of The World Health Organization, In A Tweet:

"Congratulations President @JoeBiden and Vice-President @KamalaHarris on your #Inauguration today. Here's to a healthier, fairer, safer, more sustainable world!"