News Wrap: Biden awards Pope Francis with Presidential Medal of Freedom

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• John Yang:

  In other news, President Biden has given Pope Francis the nation's highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, with distinction. The citation describes Francis as a light of faith, hope and love that shines brightly across the world. It's the first and only time. Mr. Biden has made the award with distinction. The President and the Pope spoke by phone today. They were to have met this weekend in person at the Vatican, but Mr. Biden cancelled the trip in order to focus on the deadly Los Angeles wildfires.

  Late word tonight that Special Counsel Jack Smith has resigned from the Justice Department. In a court filing late this afternoon, Smith said he had completed his work into the two criminal investigations of President-elect Trump. The filing asked U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon to allow the quick release of Smith's final report into the charges that Mr. Trump tried to overturn the 2020 election. Some Justice Department officials fear that report may never be made public once Mr. Trump becomes president.

  And Sam Moore, half of the sick 1960s duo Sam and Dave, has died from complications following surgery. The pair recorded some of soul music's era defining hits, including "Soul Man," "You Don't Know Like I Know" and "I Thank You." Musicians from Al Green and Michael Jackson to Bruce Springsteen have cited Moore as an influence. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. Sam Moore was 89 years old.

  Still to come on PBS News Weekend, the dangers of a toxic chemical most of us encounter in our everyday lives and how to protect yourself from it. And the growing popularity of short form videos designed to be watched on your phone.