Did Bush just honor the Pope for something?

[Khadaji]

I got an email from a coworker claiming that Bush just gave the Pope a medal for being Holy, and what a wanker he is because of it, etc.

I just can’t picture it. He must have been honoring him for something, but “a medal for being holy?”

[SmackFu]

Photo

U.S. President George W. Bush awards the Pope with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest U.S. award given to a civilian, during their meeting at the Vatican, June 4, 2004

He’s been the Pope an awful long time. I’m surprised he wouldn’t have been given one of these already. It’s not like the U.S. has much stuff to give away and Clinton met with him 4 times (at least).

Hastert gave him the Congressional Medal of Freedom in 2001.

[JRDelirious]

Right, The PMF is not uncommon to give as a sort of “Lifetime Achievement” accolade to people with a long trajectory of humanitarian, artistic or political accomplishment. From the US POV, JP2 would probably earn it for his part in fighting Communism. But the political strategists surely do not mind the effect of seeing W award it to someone whose whole life is dedicated to a faith-based initiative and “traditional values”.
You gotta realize, heads-of-state award one another medals and “orders” and honorary knighthoods and all that all the time around the world. Why now? It may just be that someone feels that His Holiness may not last too much longer. And considering that JP2 is one of the Heads-of-State who have been, let’s say, skeptical about W’s Iraqui entanglement, it’s kinda sporting to go ahead and deliver it now.

[Duckster]

“A devoted servant of God, His Holiness Pope John Paul II has championed the cause of the poor, the weak, the hungry, and the outcast. He has defended the unique dignity of every life, and the goodness of all life. Through his faith and moral conviction, he has given courage to others to be not afraid in overcoming injustice and oppression. His principled stand for peace and freedom has inspired millions and helped to topple communism and tyranny. The United States honors this son of Poland who became the Bishop of Rome and a hero of our time.”

Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040604-3.html

[friedo]

@Khadaji

I just can’t picture it. He must have been honoring him for something, but “a medal for being holy?”

Your friend was probably overreacting to Bush’s citation for the honor, which said, in part:

A devoted servant of God, His Holiness Pope John Paul II has championed the cause of the poor, the weak, the hungry, and the outcast. He has defended the unique dignity of every life, and the goodness of all life.