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BumRushDaShow

(146,538 posts) Sat Jan 11, 2025, 05:02 PM Jan 11

Biden honors Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Source: AP

Updated 3:20 PM EST, January 11, 2025

WASHINGTON (AP) — 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 was “a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world.”

Biden had been scheduled to present the medal to the pope in person on Saturday in Rome on what was to be the final overseas trip of his presidency, but Biden canceled his travel plans so he could monitor the wildfires in California. The White House said Biden bestowed the award to the pope during a phone call in which they also discussed efforts to promote peace and alleviate suffering around the world.

It’s the only time Biden has presented the honor with distinction during his presidency. Biden himself is a recipient of the award with distinction, recognized when he was vice president by then-President Barack Obama in a surprise ceremony eight years ago. That was the only time in Obama’s two terms when he awarded that version of the medal.

The citation for the pope says “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.”

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/biden-pope-francis-presidential-medal-of-freedom-1abf54dc5b1f30d8f0702dbd2bb93304

Link to White House STATEMENT - President Biden Awards Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction to His Holiness Pope Francis

11 replies

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Biden honors Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Jan 11 OP

I agree with this. Elessar Zappa Jan 11 #1

Of all the Popes in my lifetime he is really a true man of the words and deeds of Jesus ! kimbutgar Jan 11 #2

While he's at it, he should give one to Judge Merchan... Mark.b2 Jan 11 #3

Are indulgences still a thing? JoseBalow Jan 11 #4

No. ancianita Jan 11 #8

Very disappointing. There is no freedom for women's physical autonomy in the Catholic Church. 50 Shades Of Blue Jan 11 #5

True, but that can be said of all religions. Boomerproud Jan 11 #6

Some are more progressive - like the Episcopalian church. But if that's true of all of them - 50 Shades Of Blue Jan 11 #7

I am with you on this. He should not have done it. I'm shocked to learn that he did. No president has done that and I CTyankee Jan 11 #9

I am happy about this. NH Ethylene Jan 12 #10

This diminishes the meaning of the award. (Not as bad as when Trump gave it to Limbaugh...* Oopsie Daisy Jan 12 #11

Elessar Zappa

(16,291 posts)

1. I agree with this.

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Sat Jan 11, 2025, 05:05 PM

Jan 11

Yes, the Church is still bigoted towards lgbtq and women. But Pope Francis has really set the church in a more liberal direction.

kimbutgar

(23,984 posts)

2. Of all the Popes in my lifetime he is really a true man of the words and deeds of Jesus !

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Sat Jan 11, 2025, 05:09 PM

Jan 11

Mark.b2

(521 posts)

3. While he's at it, he should give one to Judge Merchan...

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Sat Jan 11, 2025, 05:31 PM

Jan 11

The outcome was practically all for naught, but he, at least, tagged Trump with 34 felonies. Most judges would have “played nice” by holding Bragg’s case to just felony or two and “thrown a bone” here and there to defense motions to give a false impression of being “fair.” Rather, he was a profile in courage by conducting a fair trial knowing every decision would be subject to extreme scrutiny, often from those on our side.

JoseBalow

(6,280 posts)

4. Are indulgences still a thing?

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Sat Jan 11, 2025, 05:37 PM

Jan 11

ancianita

(39,414 posts)

8. No.

Reply to JoseBalow (Reply #4)

Sat Jan 11, 2025, 06:35 PM

Jan 11

50 Shades Of Blue

(11,055 posts)

5. Very disappointing. There is no freedom for women's physical autonomy in the Catholic Church.

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Sat Jan 11, 2025, 05:41 PM

Jan 11

Or for LGBTQ+ people who need, want, and deserve more from life than staying celibate and single!

Boomerproud

(8,568 posts)

6. True, but that can be said of all religions.

Reply to 50 Shades Of Blue (Reply #5)

Sat Jan 11, 2025, 06:02 PM

Jan 11

I don't know about the Eastern religions so I need to educate myself.

50 Shades Of Blue

(11,055 posts)

7. Some are more progressive - like the Episcopalian church. But if that's true of all of them -

Reply to Boomerproud (Reply #6)

Sat Jan 11, 2025, 06:31 PM

Jan 11

What does that say about religion? I know what it says to me, and it is NOT GOOD.

I'm very very very very disappointed that President Biden gave Pope Francis, the head of such a misogynistic church, any sort of award.

CTyankee

(65,552 posts)

9. I am with you on this. He should not have done it. I'm shocked to learn that he did. No president has done that and I

Reply to 50 Shades Of Blue (Reply #7)

Sat Jan 11, 2025, 09:08 PM

Jan 11

don't want to see it again. Now Trump is gonna feel like he's gotta do better and god knows what he will come up with.

NH Ethylene

(31,027 posts)

10. I am happy about this.

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Sun Jan 12, 2025, 12:21 AM

Jan 12

I am not even Christian, much less Catholic, but I think this pope deserved special recognition. He is the first one I've seen who has used his position to make the world a better place rather than to further the political interests of the Church.

Oopsie Daisy

(5,073 posts)

11. This diminishes the meaning of the award. (Not as bad as when Trump gave it to Limbaugh...*

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Sun Jan 12, 2025, 07:57 AM

Jan 12

* but, PF isn't one that I believe to be truly deserving.)

I remember that time Biden was denied communion...

https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/29/politics/joe-biden-denied-communion-south-carolina-catholic-church/index.html

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