Biden Honors The People Pope With Historic Award

Biden Honors The People Pope With Historic Award

On January 11, 2025, U.S. President Joe Biden announced in a phone call with Pope Francis that he was awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, the nation’s highest civilian honor. This marks the first time Biden has bestowed the medal with this added distinction during his presidency…READ MORE…

In a statement, the White House described the award as recognizing individuals who have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal endeavors.” The Holy See has yet to comment on the announcement.

President Biden, who will leave office on January 20, had previously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 individuals, including Hillary Clinton, Lionel Messi, and Ralph Lauren. The decision to honor Pope Francis came after Biden postponed and eventually canceled a planned meeting in Rome due to the state funeral of former President Jimmy Carter and ongoing wildfires in California.

During the call, Biden expressed regret for missing the meeting and praised Pope Francis for his commitment to global peace and his advocacy for the most vulnerable. The White House statement highlighted Pope Francis as a unique figure, calling him “the People’s Pope” for his dedication to the poor, interfaith outreach, and environmental protection.

This award comes as Biden, only the second Catholic U.S. president, faces criticism from some Church leaders over policies at odds with Church teachings, including his stance on abortion. The gesture is seen as an effort to underscore Biden’s connection to the Pope and his values as he concludes his political career at 82.

Pope Francis is not the first pontiff to receive the honor. In 2004, Pope John Paul II was awarded the medal by President George W. Bush for his role in the fall of communism, despite Vatican unease due to the Pope’s opposition to the Iraq War. John XXIII also received the medal posthumously in 1963 from President Lyndon Johnson, alongside the late President John F. Kennedy.

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