It’s the only time President Biden, who is a Catholic, has presented the honour with distinction during his presidency.
President Joe Biden has honoured Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction, the highest civilian award given by the president, saying the pontiff was “a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world.”
Biden had been scheduled to present the medal to the pope in person on Saturday in Rome on what was to be the final overseas trip of his presidency, but he cancelled his travel plans so he could monitor the wildfires in California.
The White House said Biden bestowed the award to the pope during a phone call in which they also discussed efforts to promote peace and alleviate suffering around the world.
It’s the only time Biden has presented the honour with distinction during his presidency. Biden himself is a recipient of the award with distinction, recognised when he was vice president by then-President Barack Obama in a surprise ceremony eight years ago. That was the only time in Obama’s two terms when he awarded that version of the medal.
The citation for the pope says “his mission of serving the poor has never ceased. A loving pastor, he joyfully answers children’s questions about God. A challenging teacher, he commands us to fight for peace and protect the planet. A welcoming leader, he reaches out to different faiths.”
Biden is preparing to leave office on January 20 and has given out honours to prominent individuals, including supporters and allies, in recent weeks.
Since 1980 President Barack Obama, a Democrat, gave out the most Presidential Medal of Freedom awards, whilst Joe Biden has given out the fewest:
Barack Obama, Democrat 118
Bill Clinton, Democrat 89
Ronald Reagan, Republican 86
George W. Bush, Republican 85
George H. W. Bush, Republican 41
Jimmy Carter, Democrat 34
Donald Trump, Republican 24
Joe Biden, Democrat 19
ADVERTISEMENTOn January 4 Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to these 19 people, some of whom have helped him during his long political career.
José Andrés
José Andrés’s World Central Kitchen provides large-scale relief to communities affected by natural disasters and conflict around the world. Seven WCK staff were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza in April.
Bono
ADVERTISEMENTBono is the frontman for legendary Irish rock band U2 and a pioneering activist against AIDS and poverty. Biden is an Irish-American who is proud of his roots that can be traced back to the Finnegan family of County Louth.
Ashton Baldwin Carter (posthumous)
Ash Carter was Defence Secretary from 2015 to 2017 under President Barack Obama when Biden was Vice-President.
Hillary Rodham Clinton
ADVERTISEMENTAs Secretary of State, she became the first woman nominated for president by a major United States political party.
Michael J. Fox
Michael J. Fox is an actor who has won five Emmy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. He is a world-renowned advocate for Parkinson’s disease research and development.
Tim Gill
ADVERTISEMENTTim Gill is an entrepreneur whose work has advanced LGBTQI rights and equality.
Jane Goodall
Dr. Jane Goodall is a world-renowned conservationist whose research transformed our understanding of primates and human evolution.
Fannie Lou Hamer (posthumous)
ADVERTISEMENTMrs. Fannie Lou Hamer transformed the struggle for racial justice in America. As a founder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, she challenged the exclusion of Black voices in the political system and laid the groundwork for the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
Earvin “Magic” Johnson
Earvin “Magic” Johnson is a legendary retired basketball player who led the Los Angeles Lakers to five championships. He was a fervent supporter of Biden when he was running for president.
Robert Francis Kennedy (posthumous)
ADVERTISEMENTRobert Francis Kennedy is remembered as an Attorney General who fiercely combatted racial segregation, and as a United States Senator who sought to address poverty and inequality.
Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren is a fashion designer who redefined the fashion industry with a lifestyle brand that embodies timeless elegance and American tradition. The first Lady Jill Biden has often worn his clothes.
Lionel Messi
ADVERTISEMENTLionel Messi is the most decorated player in the history of professional soccer. He is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
William Sanford Nye
Bill Nye has inspired and influenced generations of American students as “Bill Nye the Science Guy.”
George W. Romney (posthumous)
ADVERTISEMENTGeorge Romney was a businessman who served as the chairman and president of American Motors Corporation. Former Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, is his son and one of President-elect Donald Trump’s strongest conservative critics.
David M. Rubenstein
David Rubenstein is co-founder and co-chairman of The Carlyle Group, where he built one of the most successful global investment firms.
George Soros
ADVERTISEMENTGeorge Soros is a billionaire investor, philanthropist, and founder of the Open Society Foundations who is an ally of Biden’s. Hungary’s far-right President Viktor Orbán has long been a vocal critic of Soros, who is Hungarian-American.
George Stevens, Jr.
George Stevens, Jr. is an award-winning writer, director, author, and playwright.
Denzel Washington
ADVERTISEMENTDenzel Washington is an actor, director, and producer who has won two Academy Awards, a Tony Award and two Golden Globes.
Anna Wintour
Anna Wintour is a renowned British fashion icon who has led Vogue as editor-in-chief since 1988.
