Politicians, celebrities and athletes offer support to Joe Biden, Kamala Harris on Inauguration Day

WASHINGTON -- As President Joe Biden prepared for his inauguration Wednesday, supporters across the country celebrated and wished the president and Vice President Kamala Harris the best.

Biden's oath of office Wednesday to become the 46th President of the United States puts him at the helm of a deeply divided nation where he inherits a confluence of crisis that are arguably greater than any faced by his predecessors.

Ahead of and throughout the ceremony, politicians, celebrities and athletes took to social media to offer their support.

Politicians congratulate Biden, Harris

Former President Barack Obama tweeted in support of his former vice president saying, "Congratulations to my friend, President @JoeBiden! This is your time."

He included a photo of the pair hugging in the White House.



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Former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tweeted in support of Harris, "It delights me to think that what feels historical and amazing to us today-a woman sworn in to the vice presidency-will seem normal, obvious, "of course" to Kamala's grand-nieces as they grow up. And they will be right."


She also offered words of encouragement to the president and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, tweeting, "So excited to call these two wonderful people "Mr. President" and "Dr. Biden."



Biden himself also offered supportive words toward his wife, tweeting "I love you, Jilly, and I couldn't be more grateful to have you with me on the journey ahead."



Global leaders also chimed in to offer their congratulations.

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson tweeted, "Congratulations to @JoeBiden on being sworn in as President of the United States and to @KamalaHarris on her historic inauguration. America's leadership is vital on the issues that matter to us all, from climate change to COVID, and I look forward to working with President Biden."



First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon offered a series of tweets in support of Biden and Harris, saying "Warm congratulations and best wishes to President Biden and Vice President Harris. Scotland and the USA share long-standing bonds of friendship and co-operation. We look forward to building on these in the years ahead."



Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi also expressed he is looking forward to working with the pair. "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," he said.



Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said shortly after President Biden's swearing in he looked forward to working with the new president.

"Canada and the United States enjoy one of the most unique relationships in the world, built on a shared commitment to democratic values, common interests, and strong economic and security ties," he said. "Our two countries are more than neighbours -- we are close friends, partners, and allies.

"Canada and the United States have worked side-by-side to tackle some of the greatest challenges we have faced in our history," Trudeau also said.

He also tweeted his congratulations to the new president as well as Vice President Kamala Harris.



Mexico's President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, wished Biden well ahead of the inauguration.

During his daily briefing, López Obrador outlined three themes as key areas of the bilateral relationship with the US. "Those three themes are very important: pandemic, economic recovery and migration," he said.

López Obrador also said Biden should take steps to settle the immigration status of Mexicans working in the US.

The Vatican published Pope Francis' message to President Joe Biden, the United States' second Catholic President, following his inauguration.

"On the occasion of your inauguration as the forty-sixth President of the United States of America, I extend 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," the message says.

"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," the Pope wrote.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated the incoming administration while also reminding them he sees Iran as their top challenge to confront.

"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 said in a video statement.



NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called Biden's inauguration "the start of a new chapter for the transatlantic Alliance."

"U.S. leadership remains essential as we work together to protect our democracies, our values and the rules-based international order," he said.

"NATO Allies need to stand together to address the security consequences of the rise of China, the threat of terrorism, including in Afghanistan and Iraq, and a more assertive Russia."

Celebrities excited for new era

"From the wreckage there will be renewal," tweeted actor Mark Ruffalo.

"We are going to be okay," he assured in his profound statement:



Actor Jesse Tyler Furguson echoed Ruffalo's sentiments oh healing and hope.

"So happy we made it to today," he said.



A poetic Bono posted a lengthy, heartfelt message of what America means to him "as an Irishman," and spoke of the changing tides he foresees with this transtition of power.

"Lady Liberty's been bruised and battered these past four years, but today her flame burns bright as we watch her torch transfer to two new leaders who will calm the waters, even while they chart a new course," the U2 singer wrote on Twitter.



A cheeky Chrissy Teigen, as per usual, hopes to get a Twitter follow from Biden after being blocked by Donald Trump for years.



Comedian Leslie Jones documented an animated minute-by-minute log of the ceremony, including this video of Kamala Harris being sworn in as vice president.

The caption speaks for itself in terms of her level of excitement:



Actress and ABC's "Scandal" star Kerry Washington says there is still "sooooo much work today," but she is celebrating this historic day with prayer and revelation.

Athletes react to historic inauguration

For Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, it was an inspiring morning to share with his three young children.



World Cup champion Megan Rapinoe quoted the song "Feeling Good" by Nina Simone.

The U.S. and global soccer star says while she's "feeling good... Let us not waste this opportunity to reckon with our past, and move forward justice and equality."



ESPN analyst and NBA champion Kendrick Perkins used a Disney's "The Lion King" analogy to express his feelings.



Of course, the former Yankee and Major League baseball star attended Inauguration Day in support of Biden and Harris, but also in support of his wife Jennifer Lopez, who performed at the ceremony.




CNN Wire contributed to this report

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