Joe Biden praises 'dear friend' Jimmy Carter after the former president's death

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As Joe Biden's presidency nears its end, he bid farewell to a "dear friend" in former President Jimmy Carter.

Carter, 100, died on Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia. Biden released a statement on his X account and through the White House honoring the 39th U.S. president.

"Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian," Biden's statement reads. "Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well."

"With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us. He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe."

Biden also called Carter "a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism."

"We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together," Biden said. "The love shared between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter is the definition of partnership and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism. We will miss them both dearly, but take solace knowing they are reunited once again and will remain forever in our hearts."

'A man of principle, faith, and humility'

Biden said he implores the youth in America to study the Plains, Georgia native.

"Young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning – the good life – study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility," according to Biden's statement. "He showed that we are (a) great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong."

To end his statement, Biden announced that he is ordering an official state funeral to be held in Washington, D.C. after 100 years of him giving "his full life in service to God and country."

Biden addresses Carter's death in press conference

Biden also held a news conference honoring Carter, saying the former president "lived a life measured not by words but by his deeds." He also commented on Carter's melanoma diagnosis, which had spread to four different parts of his brain by the time he was 90 years old, according to the American Cancer Society.

"Jimmy Carter was just as courageous in his battle against cancer as he was in everything in his life," Biden said. "Cancer was a common bond between our two families, as of many other families. When our son Bo died, Jimmy and Rosalynn were there to help us heal."

Biden and Carter go way back

Not long after taking office in 2021, Biden and the first lady, Jill Biden, visited Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter at their home in Plains, Georgia.

“It was great to see President Carter," Biden said about the visit, per CNN. "He reminded me that I was the first person to endorse him outside of Georgia. And we sat and talked about the old days."

The president called the Carters "old friends" and said he and his wife "had a nice time," the outlet reported.

According to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, Biden was the first U.S. senator to endorse Carter during his 1976 presidential bid.

“We believe being ‘right’ on the issues is not enough in 1976. Our nation and our party need a president who is not only right, but who has demonstrated ability to accomplish our common goals,” Biden and then-Sen. Birch Bayh wrote in a joint letter at the time, adding, “We believe that person is Jimmy Carter.”

In a video released to CBS News in October, Biden celebrated Carter's 100th birthday by calling the former president a “moral force for our nation and the world” and a “beloved friend.”