US President Joe Biden said on Friday that Pope Francis told him he was a “good Catholic” who can receive communion, widening a gulf between Francis and conservative US bishops who want to deny it because of Biden’s support for abortion rights.

Biden and the pope held an unusually long 1 hour and 15 minute meeting at the Vatican as a debate raged back home on the issue.

Asked if the topic of abortion came up, Biden said: “No it didn’t... we just talked about the fact he was happy that I was a good Catholic and I should keep receiving communion,” Biden told reporters.

The President, who goes to weekly Mass regularly and keeps a picture of the pope behind his desk in the Oval Office, has said he is personally opposed to abortion but cannot impose his views as an elected leader.

In June, a divided conference of US Roman Catholic bishops voted to draft a statement on communion that some bishops say should specifically admonish Catholic politicians, including Biden. They take up the issue again next month.

But the pope’s comments to Biden, who disclosed them at a photo opportunity with Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, may make it impossible for the bishops to follow through on their plans.