Jesuit Father Gregory Boyle and Nancy Pelosi to be awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
Gregory Boyle, S.J, a Jesuit priest who founded and runs Homeboy Industries, a gang-intervention and rehabilitation program, and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, the first and only woman ever elected to the speaker’s post, will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden.
The two high-profile Catholics are among a diverse group of 19 individuals to be honored Friday by the Democratic president for making what the White House said are “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.”
Father Boyle is the author of several books, including the New York Times bestseller Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion. Homeboy Industries is the largest gang rehabilitation and re-entry program in the United States.