The National Constitution Center announced March 16 that the first U.S.-born Pope will receive the Liberty Medal during a public ceremony on July 3 outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed. His acceptance remarks will be delivered by videolink and streamed as part of the celebration.
The Liberty Medal recognizes individuals whose work advances freedom and human dignity. According to the National Constitution Center, Pope Leo is being honored for his “lifelong work promoting religious liberty and freedom of conscience and expression around the world.”
Organizers said the Pope’s emphasis on religious liberty closely aligns with the protections guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. They also highlighted his commitment to interreligious dialogue, describing it as part of a broader vision that understands religious freedom not simply as a legal principle but as an expression of human dignity.
“As the first American pope, Pope Leo XIV brings a distinctive perspective shaped by democratic ideals and a lifelong commitment to promoting interfaith dialogue,” the Center said in its announcement.
Mike George, chair of the National Constitution Center’s Board of Trustees, said honoring the pope underscores the enduring importance of liberty of conscience.
“From its founding, America has understood liberty of conscience as essential to human freedom and self-government,” George said. “Pope Leo XIV’s moral leadership and his defense of religious freedom and free expression embody these enduring principles.”
The ceremony will take place in front of Independence Hall, a symbolic location as the United States prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of its founding on July 4, 2026. The event will be broadcast by Comcast NBCUniversal and streamed online for a national audience.
Although Pope Leo had been invited to visit the United States during the anniversary year, the Vatican confirmed earlier this year that he would not travel to the country in 2026. Vatican officials noted that popes traditionally avoid visiting countries during election years to prevent the appearance of political endorsement. Instead, the pontiff will remain in Rome for the Liberty Medal ceremony and speak to the American public remotely.
The following day, July 4, Pope Leo is scheduled to travel to the Italian island of Lampedusa, a key landing point for migrants crossing the Mediterranean. The visit continues the Church’s longstanding attention to the plight of migrants and refugees.
Established in 1988, the Liberty Medal has honored figures who promote freedom and human rights around the world. Past recipients include the Dalai Lama, Malala Yousafzai, John Lewis, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. For Pope Leo, the award places the Church’s longstanding defense of conscience and religious liberty at the center of a historic moment for the United States.
