President Joe Biden Awards Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction
The White House announced on Saturday that President Joe Biden has awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction, the first time in his term that the president has bestowed that honor. The award is being given to the Pope “in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the advancement of peace, freedom, and human rights around the world.”
Pope Francis, the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere, is being honored for his “light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world.” The White House praised his commitment to alleviating suffering for vulnerable communities, and his work to advance peace worldwide.
President Biden is said to have spoken with Pope Francis this morning to tell him about the award, and the two also discussed efforts to advance peace around the world, including Pope Francis’ work to alleviate suffering for vulnerable communities. In a tweet, President Biden described the Pope as “a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world.”
This is the second time President Biden has met with Pope Francis, with the first meeting taking place in June when Biden attended the G-7 Leaders’ Summit in Apulia, Italy. During their last meeting, the two discussed the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction is the highest civilian honor that can be awarded to an individual in the United States. Only 20 Medals of Freedom have been awarded with distinction since the award’s inception in 1963. Prior to this award, no President has awarded the Medal of Freedom with distinction since President Barack Obama awarded one to then-Vice President Joe Biden.
Pope Francis is the second Roman Catholic to be elected president, with the first being President John F. Kennedy, the nation’s 35th president.