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.

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.

Their sad, shared legacy is that both men have diminished their high offices.

In what would have been his last overseas trip as president, Joe Biden had been set to depart for Italy Thursday night to meet with Pope Francis.

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,

President Joe Biden awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, on Saturday from the White House after he missed a scheduled trip to the Vatican in order to monitor the wildfires that have been raging across Southern California.

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

President Joe Biden has honored Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction WASHINGTON -- President Joe Biden on Saturday honored Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal ...

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 ...

President Joe Biden awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, recognizing him as a recipient of the nation s highest civilian honor

Biden spoke by phone with His Holiness Pope Francis Saturday morning and "expressed his deep regret" that he was unable to visit Rome and Vatican City.

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