President Joe Biden has awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction, the first time the president has bestowed the honor in his term, the White House announced Saturday.
“The first pope from the Southern Hemisphere, Pope Francis, is unlike any previous pope,” the White House wrote in a statement. “Above all, he is the people’s Pope – a light of faith, hope and love shining brightly throughout the world.”
The White House also said Biden spoke with the Pope this morning to tell him about the award.
The two “also discussed efforts to promote peace around the world, including Pope Francis’ work to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable communities,” the White House said.
In a tweet, Biden also wrote: “Pope Francis, your humility and your grace are indescribable, and your love for all is unparalleled.”
The award comes after Biden had to cancel a trip to the Vatican this weekend to stay behind and monitor the devastating wildfires in California.
The two last met in June, when Biden attended the G7 leaders’ summit in Apulia, Italy. The two spoke at the time about the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
In a statement at the time, the Vatican said: “Leaders stressed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and hostage agreement to get the hostages home and address the critical humanitarian crisis in Gaza. President Biden thanked Pope Francis for the Vatican’s work to address the humanitarian consequences of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, including its efforts to help return abducted Ukrainian children to their families.”
Not only is this the first Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded with distinction by Biden, but it is also the first Medal of Freedom awarded with distinction since President Barack Obama awarded one to then-Vice President Biden.
Biden is the second Roman Catholic to be elected president. President John F. Kennedy, the nation’s 35th president, was the first.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
