President Biden awards Pope Francis Medal of Freedom

Image: President Biden's X account

Source: AICA, Vatican News

Outgoing US President Joe Biden has awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, the United States' highest civilian honour.

Biden announced this directly to the Pope, in a telephone call on Saturday, 11 January. The two were due to meet in person on 10 January at the Vatican, for a private audience, as part of Biden's trip to Italy, the last international trip before the end of his mandate. However, the emergency caused by the fires in Los Angeles forced him to cancel the trip.

The President had an earlier call with Pope Francis on 20 December during which it is reported that among the various topics discussed, the issue of human rights had occupied a central place, linked to the Pope's concern for prisoners sentenced to death in federal prisons in the United States.

In fact, that conversation came after Biden's decision to commute the death sentences to life imprisonment for 37 inmates, men and women. A White House statement reported that Biden "thanked the Pope for his continued commitment to alleviating global suffering, including his work to promote human rights and protect religious freedoms."

Essentially, these are the reasons that led President Biden to choose the Pope as the recipient of the Medal. This honour was already awarded a week ago to 19 political, sports and artistic personalities who "have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or security of the United States, to world peace or to other important social, public or private endeavours."

Some observers had noted that the number of laureates was not the usual 20. Biden was evidently saving the surprise for his visit to Rome.

The Washington statement says: "As a young man, Jorge Bergoglio sought a scientific career before faith led him to a life with the Jesuits. For decades, he served the voiceless and vulnerable throughout Argentina. As Pope Francis, his mission of service to the poor has never ceased. A loving shepherd, he joyfully answers children's questions about God. An inspiring teacher, he charges us to strive for peace and protect the planet. A welcoming leader, he reaches out to different faiths. Pope Francis, the first Pope from the southern hemisphere, is unlike anyone who has come before. Above all, he is the people's Pope: a light of faith, hope and love that shines brightly throughout the world."

Biden presented the award to the papal nuncio to the US, Cardinal Christoph Pierre, as seen in a post on his X account. (pictured) The image is accompanied by a post from the president, which reads: 'Pope Francis, your humility and your 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. Today, it was my honor to award His Holiness Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction.'

This is not the first time that a pontiff has received this honour from the American presidency: on 4 June 2004, then-President George W Bush awarded the Medal of Freedom to Pope John Paul II, during one of his visits to the Vatican.