Joe Biden has awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom and praised him as the “People’s Pope”.
Mr Biden, who leaves office in just over a week, spoke with the Pope on Saturday and named him as a recipient of the US’s highest civilian honour.
He had been due to meet the Pope this month on his final foreign trip as commander-in-chief but cancelled the visit after wildfires broke out in Los Angeles.
Although Mr Biden has recently announced a number of recipients of the award, including the former Democrat presidential contender Hillary Clinton, it marks the first time he has presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction.
The White House, in a statement, praised the Pope’s work on poverty, world peace and religious tolerance.
It said: “For decades, he served the voiceless and vulnerable across Argentina. As Pope Francis, his mission of serving the poor has never ceased.
“A loving pastor, he joyfully answers children’s questions about God. A challenging teacher, he commands us to fight for peace and protect the planet
“A welcoming leader, he reaches out to different faiths.
“The first pope from the southern hemisphere, Pope Francis is unlike any who came before.
“Above all, he is the People’s Pope – a light of faith, hope and love that shines brightly across the world.”
Mr Biden, the US’s second Catholic president after John F Kennedy, has also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to a group that includes the actor Michael J Fox and fashion designer Ralph Lauren.
Robert F Kennedy, the former attorney general assassinated in 1968, and George Romney, the former Michigan governor, both received posthumous awards.
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