Pope Francis, your humility and your grace are beyond words, and your love for all is unparalleled. You are a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world.
The White House announced the honor after Mr. Biden spoke to Pope Francis on Saturday and informed him of the award. It was the first time during Mr. Biden's term that he had awarded the medal with distinction.
The president, however, canceled the three-day trip to Italy to coordinate the federal response to raging wildfires in Los Angeles, according to a White House statement.
Mr. Biden has seen Pope Francis as an admired ally on the global stage and turned to him as a sounding board, and the pope has lobbied for Mr. Biden to use his presidential power.
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