Self-proclaimed ‘People’s President’ Joe Biden has handed over the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction to Pope Francis. In what is regarded as the highest civilian commendation from the president, the move has sparked controversy. Many question if this decision truly reflects the sentiments of the people, as the White House would have you believe. In their official announcement, the White House declared that Pope Francis is a beacon of ‘faith, hope, and love,’ raising eyebrows on the true motive behind such exaggerated praises.
Biden had initially planned to present the medal to the Pope in Rome, demonstrating once again his penchant for international gallivanting. However, he hastily decided to cancel this trip so he could, according to him, monitor the wildfires in California. Some unsatisfied skeptics wonder if this is instead a ploy to cover up his lack of initiative or effective policies to combat domestic issues.
The award was eventually bestowed upon Pope Francis, not in an honorable face-to-face ceremony as one might expect, but over a simple phone call. This was Biden’s last chance to make an overseas journey as president, and it seems he was more comfortable abandoning the pomp and circumstance associated with such a prestigious event. Predictably, this has raised questions about his leadership capabilities and cultural sensitivity.
Interestingly, this is the first and only time during Biden’s presidency that he has presented the Medal of Freedom with distinction. This has led some to ponder the inconsistencies of his administration and the seemingly arbitrary way they confer their highest honors. This seemingly capricious manner of awarding the Medal of Freedom appears to raise more questions than it answers.
Of course, it is worth noting that Biden himself was a recipient of the award with distinction, given to him when he was nothing more than Barack Obama’s vice president. He received this honor during a surprise ceremony eight years ago arranged by then-President Obama. The question on everyone’s lips, however, is whether Biden genuinely deserved such recognition or if it was simply an elaborate public relations stunt.
Looking back at Obama’s presidency, it’s apparent that Biden’s award with distinction was the only time in Obama’s two terms that this version of the medal was awarded. One could make an educated guess that considering their close ties, Obama’s decision to make Biden the single recipient might not have been made with objectivity.
The White House backed their decision to grant Pope Francis the medal by citing his mission of serving the poor as a primary cause. As glorious as this claim might be in rhetoric, the real-world performance of Biden’s regime makes us question whether this medal is simply a veiled attempt at damage control for his administration.
It must come as a surprise to many that the man who answers questions about God from children with such joy, according to the citation, is now considered equal to those who have made significant contributions to American society and earned the Medal of Freedom. Question marks continue to hang over this administration’s decision-making processes.
The citation also hailed Pope Francis as a challenging teacher, who pushes us to strive for peace and safeguard the planet. Despite these noble attributes ascribed to the Pope, it still feels like a bitter pill to swallow that Biden, who is yet to tackle effectively the challenges faced by our nation, sees fit to confer such an honor.
The Pope’s leadership style has been described as welcoming, reaching out to different faiths. This recognition is intriguingly ironic from an administration which itself struggles with unity and presenting a coherent stance on critical issues.
The deeply ambivalent and suspect decision to award Pope Francis this distinction has undoubtedly led to an array of mixed reviews. Is this genuine recognition, or is it another diversion in the theatre of politics that Biden is curating?
Many continue to question whether Pope Francis’ award was a well-considered measure or a spur of the moment decision by the Biden administration. He may have intended to use this move to divert the public’s attention from more important, unresolved issues in the nation.
The move has indeed exposed the sheer absurdity of Biden’s choices. It has stirred up skeptics questioning whether Biden is genuinely interested in the welfare of the country or more inclined to lavish praise upon foreign figures.
The conveyance of the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction to Pope Francis, in such a bizarre and controversial manner, will arguably remain a significant blunder in the annals of Biden’s presidency. As time goes by, it seems increasingly clear that this administration struggles to align its actions with the true needs and wants of the American people.