On Sunday, US President Joe Biden conferred Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, recognizing the Pope’s profound influence and contributions just days before Biden’s departure from the White House.
In a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Biden expressed admiration for Pope Francis, referring to him as the “People’s Pope.”
“Pope Francis, your humility and grace are beyond words, and your love for all is unparalleled. As the People’s Pope, you are a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world,” Biden wrote.
A White House statement confirmed that Biden spoke with Pope Francis to announce the honor. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the United States, bestowed upon individuals who have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public, or private endeavors.”
This marks the first time during Biden’s presidency that the distinction was awarded with the additional honor of “with Distinction.”
According to The Hill, Biden, the second Catholic president in US history, initially planned to visit Rome to personally present the award. However, the trip was canceled due to ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles.
The meeting with Pope Francis would have been part of Biden’s final foreign trip as president, during which he also intended to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The two leaders last met in June 2024 during the G7 summit in Italy, and earlier in October 2021, amid a debate among conservative Catholic bishops regarding Biden’s stance on abortion rights and his eligibility to receive communion.
The honor celebrates Pope Francis’ commitment to global peace, social justice, and his role as a spiritual leader who transcends borders. The medal serves as a symbol of shared values between the United States and the Vatican under Biden’s administration.