Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. , went to perhaps the world’s most-renowned Catholic university Sunday with a confession: He loves former Speaker John A. Boehner .  

Biden used part of his commencement address at Notre Dame University to warn that American politics “has recently become a bloodsport full of invective and ad hominem arguments.” And, the vice president added, it has occurred “to the detriment of our nation.”  

“I’ve not seen it like this in my career,” he said.  

[Related: Playing Politics With Commencement Addresses]

Biden urged the graduates to listen to those with whom they disagree.  

“I’ve read some accounts about how John [Boehner ] and I are old school. We used to treat each other with respect, hang out with each other,” he said. “John and I aren’t old school. We’re the ‘American school’ … where progress only comes when you deal with your opponent with respect, listening as well as talking.”  

[Boehner Won’t Vote for ‘Miserable Son of a Bitch’ Cruz]

At the ceremonies, during which the two Catholic politicians received the 2016 Laetare Medal, Biden also revealed he didn’t just like the former Ohio Republican leader, he “loved him ,” according to media reports .  

The medal has been awarded annually at Notre Dame to a Catholic “whose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the Church and enriched the heritage of humanity,” according to a university press release. Previous recipients have included President John F. Kennedy, House Speaker Tip O’Neill, Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York and Rep. Lindy Boggs of Louisiana.   

Contact Bennett at johnbennett@cqrollcall.com. Follow him on Twitter @BennettJohnT.

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