Pope Francis. Credit score: Shutterstock.
In one in every of his remaining acts as President, Joe Biden awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, the very best civilian honour in america.
The popularity celebrates Pope Francis’ dedication to world peace, human rights, environmental care, and serving the poor.
Pope Francis awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction
The medal was introduced throughout a phone dialog between the 2 leaders on January 11, following an earlier dialog on December 20, 2024. This marks the second time in historical past {that a} Pope has obtained the celebrated honour – Pope John Paul II was equally recognised in 2004 by President George W. Bush.
The award was introduced to Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio to america, on behalf of Pope Francis. The White Home emphasised that this was the one time throughout Biden’s presidency the medal was awarded with distinction, a uncommon honour even amongst recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Whereas the ceremony was initially deliberate as an in-person occasion on the Vatican on January 10, Biden cancelled his go to to observe the wildfire disaster in LA. Throughout their name, the Pope expressed his unhappiness over the devastation attributable to the fires, providing prayers for victims and emergency responders.
President Biden’s official assertion praised Pope Francis as “a light-weight of religion, hope, and love that shines brightly the world over.”
Pope Francis, born Jorge Bergoglio, initially pursued a profession in science earlier than devoting his life to religion. He’s the primary Pope from the Southern Hemisphere.
Biden, a religious Catholic himself, has lauded Pope Francis because the “Folks’s Pope.” His remaining months in workplace have been marked by acts of recognition for people who’ve contributed to world peace and human rights. Biden prepares to go away workplace on January 20, to get replaced by Donald J. Trump.