Biden gives Pope Francis highest civilian honor before leaving office

President Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction to Pope Francis days before leaving the White House.

Biden, who is only the second Catholic president in U.S. history, spoke with the Pope by phone on Saturday to tell him he was a recipient of the medal, which is the highest civilian honor.

The White House shared a photo of Biden in the Oval Office alongside the medal. Biden was expected to be in Rome this weekend but canceled the trip due to the raging wildfires in Los Angeles.