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.

Unlike that of his only Catholic predecessor in the job, John F. Kennedy, Biden’s Catholicism, White said, “was embedded both in his persona growing up, in the tragedies that have marked his life. It is a huge part of his persona, in a way that’s unlike Kennedy, who was quite private.”

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

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.

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

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

The pontiff has been celebrated for "his mission of serving the poor" and as a "welcoming leader" who "reaches out to different faiths".

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 ...

Today, President Biden spoke with His Holiness Pope Francis and named him as a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction. For decades, Pope Francis served the voiceless and vulnerable across Argentina. As a loving pastor, he joyfully answers children's… pic.twitter.com/qOP61r6BjE