United States President Joe Biden spoke with Pope Francis on Saturday and named him recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction, according to the White House in a statement.
As the nation’s highest honor, the medal “is awarded to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other important social, public, or private endeavors,” the release.
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This is the first time that Biden has awarded the medal “with distinction,” according to the text.
“The first Pope from the southern hemisphere, Pope Francis, is unlike any who has ever existed before,” the statement continued. “Above all, he is the people’s Pope, a light of faith, hope and love that shines brightly throughout the world.”
Today, President Biden spoke with His Holiness Pope Francis and named him as a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction.
For decades, Pope Francis served the voiceless and vulnerable across Argentina. As a loving pastor, he joyfully answers children’s… pic.twitter.com/qOP61r6BjE
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 11, 2025
“For decades, (Jorge Bergoglio) served the voiceless and vulnerable throughout Argentina,” the White House statement states.
“As Pope Francis, his mission to serve the poor has never ceased. He is a loving pastor who joyfully answers children’s questions about God. He is a defiant teacher who commands us to fight for peace and protect the planet. “He is a welcoming leader who reaches out to different religions.”
Earlier this week, Biden canceled his trip to Rome and a visit to Pope Francis to address the deadly wildfires in California. Biden was scheduled to travel to Rome from January 9 to 12 at the invitation of Pope Francis. His audience with the Holy Father was scheduled for January 10.
The president’s meeting with the Pope will focus on efforts to promote peace around the world. Biden was also scheduled to meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Biden last met with Pope Francis in June last year, a meeting in which the two discussed foreign policy in Israel, Gaza and Ukraine, as well as climate change.
During a private audience at the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy, the two leaders “emphasized the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and hostage agreement” in Gaza and the need to “address the critical humanitarian crisis,” according to the White House.
CNA Senior Editor Daniel Payne contributed to this report.
Translated and adapted by the ACI Prensa team. Originally published in CNA.
Tina Dennelly
Tina Dennelly is Senior Copy Editor at Catholic News Agency. He graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has more than 25 years of experience writing and editing for Catholic newspapers, magazines, books and other media.