President Joe Biden awarded Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, the highest U.S. civilian honor. This was during a phone call between the two leaders, as the president had to cancel his trip to meet the pope in Rome due to the Los Angeles wildfires. The award was given in recognition of Pope Francis’ efforts to advance peace and alleviate suffering for vulnerable communities around the world.
Biden described Pope Francis as the “People’s Pope” and highlighted his unique background as the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere. The citation for the award praises the pope for being a beacon of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the globe. This was the only time Biden gave out this specific award during his presidency.
The White House statement following the call between Biden and Pope Francis mentioned their discussion about advancing peace globally and the pope’s humanitarian work. Despite the cancellation of their in-person meeting, Biden expressed his deep regret to the pope for not being able to visit Rome and Vatican City.
Overall, the award reflects the deep respect and admiration that President Biden has for Pope Francis and his tireless efforts to promote peace and alleviate suffering in vulnerable communities worldwide.
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