Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, is set to receive the Liberty Medal in Philadelphia on Friday, July 3, 2026, just one day before the United States celebrates its 250th birthday. The award ceremony, hosted by the National Constitution Center, will take place near Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed.
The Liberty Medal honors individuals and organizations of courage and conviction who strive to secure the blessings of liberty to people around the globe. The pope was selected for his lifelong work promoting religious liberty and freedom of conscience and expression worldwide.
Local clergy and community members have expressed enthusiasm for the pope’s visit. Reverend Paul Galetto of St. Paul Parish in South Philadelphia noted a swell of excitement across the region, saying, “The people love having somebody who better relates to them and understands them.” Galetto, who has known Pope Leo since his days as Robert Prevost, added, “One of the things about Bob – which is also the thing about Leo – was he’s never afraid to say the truth.”
The pope, a Chicago native and Villanova University alumnus, has strong ties to Philadelphia. Vince Stango, interim president and CEO of the National Constitution Center and a fellow Villanova graduate, remarked, “It made sense to connect a Philadelphia story, an American story, and a global story. And who better to embody those connections than the first US-born pope?”
During a private ceremony at the Vatican in April, Pope Leo reflected on the words of the Declaration of Independence, saying, “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men have received fundamental rights from our creator. And they include life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” He added, “May those values continue to inspire all of us in the United States and throughout the world.”
The multi-faith ceremony on Friday will be livestreamed, and the pope’s remarks are expected to focus on unity, freedom, and hope. Michael Moreland, a professor at Villanova, noted that the pope has been a conciliatory figure who can serve as a source of unity for Americans at a time of national division.
