President Joe Biden has presented Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, the highest civilian honor in the United States, calling the pontiff “a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world.” This marks the only time Biden has awarded the prestigious honor with distinction during his presidency.
Originally, Biden had planned to present the medal in person during a trip to Rome, scheduled to be his final overseas visit as president. However, he canceled his travel plans to focus on managing the devastating wildfires in California. Instead, the White House confirmed that Biden awarded the medal during a phone call with Pope Francis, where they also discussed global peace efforts and the alleviation of suffering.
This is the only instance during Biden’s presidency in which he has presented the award with distinction, a distinction he himself received in 2017 from then-President Barack Obama when Biden was Vice President. Obama only awarded the honor with distinction once during his presidency.
The citation for Pope Francis praised his tireless commitment to serving the poor, his role as a loving pastor who engages with children, and his call for peace and environmental protection. The award also highlighted his efforts in fostering interfaith dialogue and reaching out to those in need.
As Biden prepares to leave office on January 20, he has been honoring prominent figures, including supporters and allies, in recent weeks. Since taking office, Biden has awarded fewer Presidential Medals of Freedom compared to his predecessors. For instance, President Barack Obama awarded 118 medals during his presidency, while Biden has given out 19.
On January 4, Biden bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom to a diverse group of individuals, including celebrity chef José Andrés, Irish rock star Bono, and basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Other notable recipients included world-renowned conservationist Jane Goodall, iconic fashion designer Ralph Lauren, and actor Denzel Washington.
Despite the relatively low number of awards compared to his predecessors, Biden’s honorees represent a broad spectrum of fields, from entertainment and activism to business and human rights. The recipients have had significant impacts in their respective areas, and their accomplishments have been recognized for advancing causes such as racial justice, public health, environmental conservation, and equality.
As Biden’s time in office draws to a close, his legacy of awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom continues to honor individuals whose contributions have shaped the world in meaningful ways.
