The Pope gave the award to Mother Angelica, a Poor Clare Nun of Perpetual Adoration, and Deacon Bill Steltemeier. It is the highest honor a pope can bestow upon laity and religious.
Bishop Robert Baker of Birmingham, Alabama, conferred the awards Sunday at the headquarters of EWTN.
Mother Angelica, 86, founded the network in the garage of her monastery in 1981.
Deacon Steltemeier, 80, left his work as an attorney to help Mother Angelica when EWTN was just starting. He served as president of the network and now is chairman of its board.
Bishop Baker affirmed in his homily that the medal is «a significant acknowledgement by our Holy Father, of Mother’s labors of love in support of our Church.»
