Biden honors Pope Francis with the highest US award!

Biden honors Pope Francis with the highest US award!

President Joe Biden awarded Pope Francis last Saturday the "Medal of Freedom with Award". This was announced in a message from the White House. The awarding of this highest civil award in the United States is the first such act during Biden's term. Originally, Biden had planned a personal meeting with the Pope in Italy, but had to cancel his journey at short notice due to the devastating fires in California.

biden informed Francis by phone about the award and regretted the canceled audience. The "Presidential Medal of Freedom" is awarded to people who have earned world peace, national security, or cultural issues. The President emphasized that this award for Francis especially applies to the commitment to the poor and disadvantaged that the Pope has been pursuing for decades

The life's work of the Pope

After the Pope began his career as Jorge Bergoglio in Argentina, he devoted himself to the voiceless and weak. Biden praised him as a loving pastor and challenging teacher who tirelessly continues his mission as a "Volks-Pope". Francis, the first Pope from the southern hemisphere, is estimated that he approaches different religions and maintains dialogue.

This special award is also the only one who awarded bidges during its presidency with the medal with distinction. Biden, a practicing Catholic and the second Catholic President in US history, is known for going to church every Sunday. The relationship between Biden and Francis developed over the years through joint meetings. Most recently, the two met in June at the G7 summit in Italy.

historical importance of the award

The "Medal of Freedom with Award" has only been awarded three times since 1994, and Francis is the first person to receive this special honor since Barack Obama in 2017. As early as 2004, Pope John Paul II was awarded the medal by President George W. Bush. Biden thanked Francis for his commitment to alleviating global suffering and promoting human rights and religious freedom.

With the allocation of this medal, Biden plans to focus on significant social and cultural challenges in the remaining days of his presidency. On January 20, Biden will be handed over to Donald Trump, but the Pope's appreciation remains a lasting sign of his commitment to peace and social justice.

The close partnership and the respectful exchange between the two leaders represent an important dialogue for the future, whereby both bids and Francis always emphasize how important it is to make the needy and weak hearing.