Pope Leo XIV will accept the National Constitution Center’s Liberty Medal in July during a ceremony connected to the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations, delivering remarks from the Vatican that will be broadcast live to crowds gathered on Independence Mall in Philadelphia.
The July 3 event, announced by the National Constitution Center, will take place on the eve of the nation’s Semiquincentennial and is expected to draw large public crowds to the historic district where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were debated and adopted.
Organizers say the ceremony will feature a live broadcast from the Vatican, allowing the American-born pontiff to address attendees gathered outside the Constitution Center. The program will also be streamed online and is being presented in partnership with the City of Philadelphia and the Wawa Welcome America festival, a centerpiece of the city’s anniversary events.
The Liberty Medal is awarded annually by the Constitution Center to individuals and organizations that advance the ideals of freedom and liberty around the world. The award has been presented by the nonpartisan institution since 2006.
This year’s honor recognizes Leo’s efforts to promote freedom of religion and freedom of conscience globally. Constitution Center leaders said the timing of the award aligns with the nation’s 250th anniversary and the historic significance of Philadelphia as the birthplace of American democracy.
Leo, born Robert F. Prevost in Chicago, became the first American-born pope when he was elected by the College of Cardinals in May 2025 to lead the world’s roughly 1.4 billion Catholics. His selection sparked celebrations across the United States, including at Villanova University, where he graduated in 1977.
The pontiff has maintained ties to the Philadelphia region through his alma mater. Villanova played a role in facilitating outreach between the Constitution Center and the Vatican while organizers planned the Liberty Medal ceremony.
The award has previously been presented to a range of prominent figures, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sen. John McCain and civil rights leader John Lewis.
Leo’s participation in the event is considered a significant addition to the country’s Semiquincentennial celebrations, which will feature major national events centered in Philadelphia throughout the summer.
Despite the pope’s involvement in the July 3 ceremony, he will not travel to the United States during the anniversary year. Instead, he will deliver his address remotely from the Vatican.
The day after the ceremony, the pontiff is scheduled to travel to the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa, a major entry point for migrants arriving in Europe from Africa and the Middle East. The visit will focus on humanitarian outreach to migrant communities and volunteers who assist refugees arriving along one of the world’s most dangerous migration routes.
Source: Phila. Inquirer