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President Biden confers Medal of Freedom on Pope Francis
Above all, he is the Pope of the People:
“He is a light of Faith, Hope and Love – that shines brightly all over the world”.
WASHINGTON, 13.
Outgoing US President Joe Biden has awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
The Democratic leader himself communicated this directly to the Pontiff in a phone call on 11 January.
As is known, the two were supposed to meet in person on Friday 10, at the Vatican, but the fire emergency in Los Angeles caused Biden’s trip to Italy to be cancelled.
The US president then presented the honor to the apostolic nuncio in Washington, Christoph Pierre.
The motivation for the award reads:
‘As a young man, Jorge Bergoglio sought a career in science before his faith led him to a life with the Jesuits. For decades, he served the voiceless and vulnerable throughout Argentina.
As Pope Francis, his mission of service to the poor has never ceased.
A loving pastor, he joyfully answers children’s questions about God.
An inspiring teacher, he commands us to fight for peace and protect the planet.
Welcoming leader, he reaches out to different faiths.
The first Pope from the southern hemisphere, Pope Francis is different from anyone that has come before.
Above all, he is the Pope of the people: a light of faith, hope and love that shines brightly all over the world’.
