Biden awards Pope Francis the highest civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom, over the phone

President Joe Biden awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, the nation’s highest civilian honor, on Saturday.

The medal was to be presented to the pope in person in Rome during Biden’s final overseas trip of his presidency, but Biden canceled his travel plans to attend fires in California.

Instead, Biden presented the award to the Pope during a telephone conversation in which they also discussed efforts to promote peace and alleviate suffering around the world.

Pope Francis is unlike anyone before White House press release reads “Above all, he is the people’s pope – a light of faith, hope and love that shines through the world.”

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It was the first time in the four years of his mandate Biden awarded medal “with distinction”, it said.

Biden, 82, leaves office on January 20 a lifelong Catholic he is also the recipient of an award with distinction, which was recognized in a surprise ceremony eight years ago by then-President Barack Obama when he was vice president. It was the only time in Obama’s two terms that he awarded that version of the medal, according to the Associated Press.

Both Biden and Francis have been weakened by global events, said Massimo Faggioli, an Italian academic and professor at Villanova University who follows the papacy.

“It’s hard to understate how tragic this moment is for both men in different ways,” he said. – Because what could have gone wrong, has gone wrong in these few years.

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Francis, 88, has been pushing to open the Church to the modern world since he took the helm in 2013. He has drawn criticism from some American Catholics for his support for abortion and other views that run counter to church teachings.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.