By Zolan Kanno-Youngs
On Saturday, President Joe Biden presented Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, bestowing one of the nation’s most esteemed honors upon the leader he referred to as “the People’s Pope.”
“Pope Francis, your humility and grace are truly inexpressible, and your compassion for everyone is unmatched,” Biden shared on the social platform X. “You are a beacon of faith, hope, and love illuminating the world.”
The president paid tribute to the pontiff during a weekend that was initially planned for a face-to-face meeting in the Vatican. However, Biden opted to cancel his three-day trip to Italy to manage the federal response to severe wildfires in Los Angeles, as reported by a White House statement.
Instead of the traditional award presentation where the president drapes the medal over the honoree’s neck, Biden shared an image on X taken in the Oval Office, where a military aide presented the medal. The White House disclosed the honor following Biden’s conversation with Francis on Saturday, during which he informed the pope about the award.
This marked the first occasion in Biden’s presidency that he awarded the medal “with distinction,” a higher-ranking variant of the honor. Biden received the accolade from President Barack Obama in 2017. Other notable recipients have included Pope John Paul II and Colin Powell.
As a Catholic, Biden regards Francis as a valued ally on an international level and has often sought his counsel, with the pope advocating for Biden to leverage his presidential authority in the closing weeks of his administration.
Last month, Francis reached out to Biden, urging him to commute the sentences of individuals on federal death row. Shortly after, Biden exercised his clemency power to reduce the sentences of all but three individuals to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, thereby saving their lives.
A statement included in the White House’s announcement regarding the award highlighted that Francis was “unlike any who came before him.”
“His commitment to serving the impoverished is unwavering,” the statement expressed. “As a loving shepherd, he joyfully responds to children’s queries about God. As an impactful educator, he challenges us to pursue peace and safeguard the environment. As an inclusive leader, he engages with diverse faiths.”
Biden conferred this honor shortly after presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 18 individuals from the realms of politics, finance, and the entertainment industry.
