President Joe Biden awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction, the first time in his term that the president has awarded that honor, the White House announced Saturday.
“The first Pope from the southern hemisphere, Pope Francis, is unlike any who came before him,” the White House wrote in a statement. “Above all, he is the People’s Pope: a light of faith, hope and love that shines throughout the world.”
The White House also said Biden spoke with the Pope this morning to inform him about the award.
The two also “discussed efforts to promote peace around the world, including Pope Francis’ work to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable communities,” the White House said.
In a tweet, Biden also wrote: “Pope Francis, your humility and grace are beyond words, and your love for all is incomparable.”
The award comes after Biden was forced to cancel a trip to the Vatican this weekend to stay behind and monitor the devastating wildfires in California.
The two last met in June, when Biden attended the G7 Leaders Summit in Apulia, Italy. At the time, the two spoke about the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
In a statement at the time, the Vatican said: “The leaders emphasized the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and hostage agreement to return the hostages home and address the critical humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “President Biden thanked Pope Francis for the Vatican’s work to address the humanitarian impacts of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, including its efforts to help return kidnapped Ukrainian children to their families.”
Not only is this the first Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded with distinction by Biden, but it is the first Medal of Freedom awarded with distinction since President Barack Obama awarded it to then-Vice President Biden.
Biden is the second Roman Catholic to be elected president. President John F. Kennedy, the nation’s 35th president, was the first.
