President Joe Biden has honored Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction. It's the highest civilian award given by the president.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Pope Francis on Saturday and awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, the nation's highest civilian honor, the White House said. It was the first time during his four years in office that Biden awarded the medal "with distinction," it said.

Joe Biden has awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom and praised him as the “People’s Pope”. Mr Biden, who leaves office in just over a week, spoke with the Pope on Saturday and named him as a recipient of the US’s highest civilian honour.

Pope Francis is receiving the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, the country's highest civilian honor, the White House confirmed 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.

President Biden, a Catholic, awarded the medal with distinction to the pontiff, to whom he has turned for personal guidance.

President Joe Biden has awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction. It’s the highest civilian honor given by the president.

Bono was recognized recently for his work with his companies One and (Red), which help world issues of poverty and the AIDS epidemic.