President Biden Awarded The Presidential Medal Of Freedom With Destination For Pope Francis

President Biden gave the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Destination for Pope Francis. (Twitter/@POTUS)

JAKARTA - United States President Joe Biden conferred "Presidential Medal of Freedom with Destination", the country's highest civil award, to World Catholic Church Leader Pope Francis.

President Biden made the announcement in a phone call with Pope Francis on January 11, quoted from Vatican News January 12.

Originally, President Biden was scheduled to hold a face-to-face hearing with the Pope at the Vatican on January 10. However, it was canceled due to a forest fire emergency in Los Angeles, California.

"Today, President Biden spoke with His Excellency Pope Francis and named him the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Destination," the White House tweeted on social media X.

The award was given to Nuncio Apostolik for the United States, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, on behalf of Pope Francis.

The White House said for decades Pope Francis served those who have been silent and vulnerable throughout Argentina for decades, answered children's questions about God happily, and reached out to various religions and ordered to fight for peace as leaders.

It said this was the first time President Biden has conferred the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Destination.

In his post on the official X presidential account, President Biden praised Pope Francis' humility and love as unmatched.

"As the People's Pope, you are the light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly around the world," President Biden tweeted.

"Today, it is an honor for me to confer on His Majesty Pope Francis the Freedom Medal with Differences," he continued.

Citing the White House website, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is America's highest civil award, given to individuals who have contributed role models to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other important endeavors in society, public or private sector.

This is the second time the Pope has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom award from the President of the United States.

Earlier, US President George W. Bush conferred the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Pope John Paul II during a visit to the Vatican on June 4, 2004.

It was given in recognition of Pope John Paul II's tireless advocacy for peace and human dignity.