Just as there was with Lionel Messi, the outgoing president of the United States, This Saturday, Joe Biden awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinctionthe most prestigious civil recognition in the country. It is the first time that this special version has been delivered.
“President Biden presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction to His Holiness Pope Francis”the White House reported. The same president communicated this to the Supreme Pontiff by telephone.
In the statement, the Casa Blanca highlighted the work done by the Argentine throughout his life. “For decades, he served the voiceless and vulnerable throughout Argentina. As Pope Francis, his mission to serve the poor has never ceased,” they highlighted.
Biden had planned to meet Pope Francis in the coming days, but had to cancel a trip to Italy for the terrible forest fires that the city of Los Angeles is suffering.
Days ago, the American president had given this distinction to the captain of the men’s soccer team, Lionel Messi, along with 18 other sports figures. for having made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other important public or private endeavors.”
The delivery of the Freedom medal to Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi was distinguished on January 4 with the highest civilian honor of the USA: received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. However, the Argentine star was not present at the ceremony he carried out Joe Biden in the White House.
In this way, the soccer star became the first Argentine to receive this decoration. In total, there were 18 figures honored. Messi was chosen for his outstanding sporting career, his social commitment through Leo Messi Foundation and his role as ambassador of UNICEF Goodwill.
From those around the Argentine National Team player – who is on vacation in his country of Funes, in the province of Santa Fe – they alleged that some unavoidable commitments previously scheduled in his agenda that prevented him from organizing the trip to Washington. Furthermore, he was the only one of those recognized who did not attend the ceremony.
Source: Ambito
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