For the first time during his presidency, Pope Francis has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction from President Joe Biden, the White House said on Saturday.
Pope Francis, the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere, is unique, the White House said in a statement. Above all, he is the Pope of the People, a beacon of love, hope, and faith that illuminates the entire world.
Additionally, according to the White House, Biden informed the Pope about the prize this morning.
According to the White House, the two also talked about initiatives to promote international peace, such as Pope Francis’s efforts to lessen suffering in areas that are at risk.
Additionally, Biden tweeted, “Pope Francis, your love for everyone is unmatched, and your humility and grace are beyond words.”
Biden received the honor after having to postpone his planned trip to the Vatican this weekend in order to remain home and keep an eye on the destructive wildfires in California.
Biden’s attendance at the G7 Leaders Summit in Apulia, Italy, in June marked their most recent encounter. The two discussed the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine at the time.
“The leaders stressed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and a hostage deal to get the hostages home and address the critical humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” the Vatican said in a statement at the time. President Biden commended Pope Francis for his efforts to assist in reuniting abducted Ukrainian children with their families and for the Vatican’s efforts to address the humanitarian effects of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.
In addition to being the first Presidential Medal of Freedom that Biden has given with honor, this is also the first time that the Medal of Freedom has been given with honor since then-Vice President Biden received one from President Barack Obama.
Biden is the second elected president who is a Roman Catholic. The first was President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the country.