WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Saturday honored Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction, the highest civilian award given by the president, stating that the pontiff is "a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world."
Biden had originally planned to present the medal to the pope in person on Saturday in Rome, marking what was to be the final overseas trip of his presidency. However, he canceled his travel plans to monitor the wildfires in California.
The White House announced that Biden conferred the award during a phone call with the pope, during which they discussed their shared commitment to promoting peace and alleviating suffering globally.
This event marks the only occasion on which Biden has presented the honor with distinction during his presidency. Notably, Biden himself received this prestigious award with distinction when he was vice president, bestowed by then-President Barack Obama in a surprise ceremony eight years ago, the only such award in Obama’s two terms.
The citation for the pope emphasizes that "his mission of serving the poor has never ceased. A loving pastor, he joyfully answers children’s questions about God. A challenging teacher, he commands us to fight for peace and protect the planet. A welcoming leader, he reaches out to different faiths."
As Biden prepares to leave office on January 20, he has honored several prominent individuals, including supporters and allies, in recent weeks.
