Pope Leo XIV Accepts Liberty Medal in Video Address from Rome

Pope Leo XIV accepted the Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Center on July 3, 2026, in a video appearance from Rome. The Philadelphia-based center awarded the medal for his lifelong work promoting religious liberty and freedom of conscience and expression. The pope spoke on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

He prayed for the United States to recommit to its founding ideals of protecting life and human dignity. Leo stated that America was founded by courageous men and women who dreamed of liberty and a better life for themselves and their children. He referred to migrants as part of the noble vision of the Founding Fathers.

Leo said the country opened its doors to successive waves of immigrants, enabling them and their children to shape the nation's future. He added that the moral greatness of a nation is manifested in its capacity to support, protect and cherish the lives of all, especially the most vulnerable. -born pontiff and was born in Chicago.

He planned to spend July 4, 2026, at Lampedusa, Sicily, a destination for migrants fleeing conflict and hardship. Past recipients of the Liberty Medal include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and U.S. Rep.

John Lewis. The medal is awarded each year to someone of courage and conviction who promotes liberty around the world. The National Constitution Center provides a nonpartisan platform for constitutional education and debate.