President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, the nation's highest civilian honor, to Pope Francis on Saturday.
The medal was scheduled to be presented to the Pope in person in Rome during what was scheduled to be Biden's final foreign trip of his presidency, but Biden canceled his travel plans so he could monitor the situation. Wildfires in California.
Instead, Biden presented the award to the pope during a phone call in which they also discussed efforts to promote peace and alleviate suffering around the world.
“Pope Francis is unlike anyone before him,” A White House announcement He reads. “Above all, he is the People’s Pope – the light of faith, hope and love that shines throughout the world.”
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Pope Francis meets with President Joe Biden during an audience at the Apostolic Palace on October 29, 2021 in Vatican City, Vatican City. (Vatican Media via Vatican Council)
This was the first time during his four years in office Grant Biden The medal said “with distinction.”
Biden (82 years old) leaves office on January 20 A lifelong Catholic He is also a laureate of the award, which was honored while he was vice president by former President Barack Obama in a surprise ceremony eight years ago. This was the only time during Obama's two terms that he was awarded this version of the medal, according to the Associated Press.
Global events have weakened both Biden and Francis, said Massimo Fagioli, an Italian academic and professor at Villanova University who follows the papacy.
“It's really hard to understate how tragic this moment is for both men in different ways,” he said. “Because what could go wrong has gone wrong in these few years.”
President Joe Biden leaves Holy Trinity Catholic Church in the Georgetown section of Washington on Sunday, August 27, 2023. (Andrew Harnick)
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Francis, 88, has sought to open the church to the modern world since taking power in 2013. He has drawn criticism from some American Catholics for his support of abortion and other positions that conflict with church teachings.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
