Biden awards Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian decoration in the US

MADRID Jan 12 () –

The president of the United States, Joe Biden, this Saturday awarded Pope Francis, “the people’s Pope”, the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction, the country’s highest civil decoration, and praised the pontiff as “a light of faith, hope and love that shines brightly throughout the world.

“As a young man, Jorge Bergoglio sought a career in science before faith led him to a life with the Jesuits. For decades, he served the voiceless and vulnerable throughout Argentina. As Pope Francis, his mission to serve the poor has never ceased (…). A welcoming leader, who approaches different religions. The first pope of the southern hemisphere, Pope Francis is different from all those who preceded him. He is, above all, the. Pope of the people,” Biden highlighted.

This award, the White House explained in a statement, is a distinction granted to “individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values ​​or security of the United States, world peace or other social, public or private efforts.” important”.

The American president’s initial plan was to present the medal to the Pope in person on Friday. However, the outgoing president had to cancel his trip to Italy to address the delicate national situation resulting from the fires ravaging the state of California.