Joe Biden shares special message for former US President Jimmy Carter

Joe Biden has reached out to former US President Jimmy Carter, who has decided to receive hospice care at home surrounded by family.

US President Joe Biden has shared a heartfelt message to ailing former president Jimmy Carter, who has decided to enter home hospice care.

President Biden said he had sent prayers and love to his “friends” Jimmy and Rosalynn and their family in a heartfelt post on Twitter.

“We admire you for the strength and humility you have shown in difficult times,” the tweet read.

“May you continue your journey with grace and dignity, and God grant you peace.”

To our friends Jimmy and Rosalynn and to their family – Jill and I are with you in prayer and send you our love.

We admire you for the strength and humility you have shown in difficult times. May you continue your journey with grace and dignity, and God grant you peace.

— President Biden (@POTUS) February 19, 2023

It comes after tributes have flown for the former Democratic president, who it was revealed has decided to spend his remaining time at home with family and receive hospice care there.

One of the most touching tributes came from the Secret Service, which has protected him for nearly half a century.

“Rest easy Mr. President. We will be forever by your side,” wrote Anthony Gugliemi, the agency’s spokesman, in a social media post on Saturday, local time.

Rest easy Mr. President. We will be forever by your side. https://t.co/IhpZEvIUUL

— Anthony Guglielmi (@SecretSvcSpox) February 18, 2023

Mr Gugliemi’s pledge came in response to the Carter Center’s announcement on Saturday.

The 98-year-old “has the full support of his family and his medical team,” the statement said.

“The Carter family asks for privacy during this time and is grateful for the concern shown by his many admirers,” it concluded.

The decision came after a series of trips to hospital.

Jimmy Carter served as the US President from 1977 to 1981.

Thousands of people have taken to social media at the weekend to wish the former president well and share their memories him.

The Carter Centre to established a message board, inviting people to share their thoughts.

We really appreciate all the kind words we’ve received from President Carter’s admirers. If you’d like to send messages of support to President Carter and his family, we invite you to do so here: https://t.co/IkrTSGmhpr

— The Carter Center (@CarterCenter) February 19, 2023

Mr Carter served as the president from 1977 to 1981.

He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his humanitarian work.

Mr Carter was diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and underwent surgery to remove a mass from his liver. Later that month, he held a news conference to disclose that doctors had found melanoma on his brain.

He told reporters at the time that he was “at ease” despite believing he only had a few weeks left to live, according to Fox News.

Jimmy Carter (left) in 2017 with former presidents George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Picture: Jim Chapin

“I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve had thousands of friends, and I’ve had an exciting, adventurous, and gratifying existence,” he said.

In 2019 he was hospitalised again after suffering a fractured pelvis in a fall at home.

Mr Carter was thrust into the White House in 1976 in the wake of Republican Richard Nixon’s Watergate scandal.

Originally published as Joe Biden shares special message for former US President Jimmy Carter