Washington, DC: US President Joe Biden has awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in America. This prestigious award recognizes individuals for their outstanding service to the nation or global peace.
In a statement released by the White House, it was shared that President Biden presented the award to Pope Francis during a phone call. The White House praised the pope as "the People’s Pope" and described him as a "light of faith, hope, and love" who continues to inspire people across the globe.
The statement further highlighted the pope’s dedication to serving the poor, his willingness to engage with children, and his call for peace and environmental protection. It also mentioned his outreach to various faiths, emphasizing his role as the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere, marking a significant shift in the papacy.
Originally, President Biden planned to visit Rome and personally present the medal to Pope Francis. However, due to the devastating wildfires in California, which have claimed at least 16 lives, Biden canceled the trip to focus on the ongoing emergency response.
This award marks the first time that President Biden has presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction. In response to the wildfires near Los Angeles, Pope Francis expressed his sorrow in a telegram, offering condolences for the lives lost and the widespread destruction caused by the fires.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is granted to individuals for their exceptional contributions to the United States' security, national interests, or for efforts that promote global peace and culture. While it is a civilian honor, it is not limited to American citizens.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction is rarely given out in recent years. However, President Biden is one of the few who have received it. In 2017, then-President Barack Obama awarded the medal to Biden, who was serving as vice president at the time. Another recipient of this honor was Pope John Paul II, who received the medal from President George W. Bush in 2004.
Biden last met Pope Francis in June 2024 at the Group of Seven summit in Puglia, Italy, where they had a short private meeting, according to Catholic News Service. The two also spoke on the phone in December, the White House reported. After that call, Biden commuted the sentences of 37 out of 40 people on federal death row, changing their sentences to life without the possibility of parole. Pope Francis, along with other Catholic opponents of the death penalty, had advocated for such action. The pope’s recognition highlights his role not only as a religious leader but also as a global advocate for social justice, peace, and interfaith dialogue.