President Joe Biden Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction to Pope Francis
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 in person in Rome, but Biden canceled his trip to monitor the wildfires in California. Instead, Biden bestowed the award on the pope during a phone call, in which they also discussed efforts to promote peace and alleviate suffering around the world.
The White House announcement described Pope Francis as “the People’s Pope – a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world.” This was the first time during Biden’s four years in office that he awarded the medal “with distinction.” Biden, a lifelong Catholic, is also a recipient of the award with distinction, recognized when he was vice president by then-President Barack Obama.
Pope Francis, 88, has been a vocal advocate for opening the Church to the modern world since taking office in 2013. However, he has faced criticism from some U.S. Catholics for his support of abortion and other positions that are contrary to Church teachings. Both Biden and Francis have been weakened by global events, said Massimo Faggioli, an Italian academic and professor at Villanova University.
Biden, 82, leaves office on January 20. The Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction is the highest civilian honor awarded by the President.