    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [June 4, 2004]
    [Page 991]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Pope John
    Paul II at the Vatican City State
    June 4, 2004

        The President. Your Holiness, thank you very much for receiving
    Laura and me and our delegation. I bring
    greetings from our country, where you are respected, admired, and
    greatly loved.
        I also bring a message from my Government that says to you, sir, we
    will work for human liberty and human dignity, in order to spread peace
    and compassion, that we appreciate the strong symbol of freedom that you
    have stood for, and we recognize the power of freedom to change
    societies and to change the world.
        And so, sir, we're honored to be here. Perhaps the best way I can
    express my country's gratitude to you and our respect to you is to
    present to you the Medal of Freedom from America. And if you might
    allow, I'd like to read the citation attached to that honor:
        ``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.''
        And so, on behalf of the American people, Your Holiness, I would be
    honored if you would accept our Medal of Freedom.

    [The President and the First Lady presented the medal and congratulated
    Pope John Paul II.]

        Pope John Paul II. I am very grateful, Mr. President, for this
    thoughtful gesture. May the desire for freedom, peace, a more humane
    world symbolized by this medal inspire men and women of good will in
    every time and place.
        God bless America.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:58 p.m. at the Epistolic Palace. The
    Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of these remarks.