President Biden, a Catholic, awarded the medal with distinction to the pontiff, to whom he has turned for personal guidance.

President Joe Biden has honored Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction. It's the highest civilian award given by the president.

President Joe Biden changed his travel plans to Rome to award Pope Francis the Medal of Freedom due to the California wildfires, but the two still spoke on Saturday.

Pope Francis is receiving the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, the country's highest civilian honor, the White House confirmed Saturday.

For just the third time since 1994, someone has earned a Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction. The last person to earn the medal with distinction: Joe Biden.

The citation for the award described the pope as the "People's Pope" whose "mission of serving the poor has never ceased."

Biden, the nation's second Catholic president, spoke with the pontiff to name him a recipient of the award, the White House said.

Pope Francis was named a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction Saturday by President Biden, a White House press release said. The honor is the highest civilian award in the country,

WASHINGTON DC- On January 12, President Joe Biden conferred the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction on Pope Francis, recognizing the pontiff’s profound influence and global contributions. The honor comes just days before Biden’s term as president concludes.

President Joe Biden has awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction, the first time in his term the president has bestowed that honor, the White House announced on Saturday.

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Saturday honored Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction, the highest civilian award given by the president, saying the pontiff ...

The president spoke with the Pope Saturday. The honor came with distinction, making the him the first person to receive the added level of honor by Biden.