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.

He had been due to meet the Pope this month on his final foreign trip as commander-in-chief but cancelled the visit after wildfires broke out in Los Angeles.

Although Mr Biden has recently announced a number of recipients of the award, including the former Democrat presidential contender Hillary Clinton, it marks the first time he has presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction.

The White House, in a statement, praised the Pope’s work on poverty, world peace and religious tolerance.