The full context of Augustine’s line is perhaps not as rosy as Joe Biden might have suggested.

Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed hope the incoming administration "will work with the church and others of goodwill."

Amid the somber ceremonies, perhaps today we can wave goodbye to our starchy past.

If all the nominees the president-elect has chosen are confirmed, the Cabinet will have diverse religious backgrounds. The majority are Catholic, with five Jews, two Black Baptists and two Hindus.

Read President Joseph R. Biden's Inaugural Address.

The power of pardon should be directed toward repairing the failures of the legal system; toward those whose needs are especially pronounced; and toward the building up of a culture of mercy and forgiveness.