Pope Leo XIV will deliver live remarks via broadcast to a crowd in Philadelphia while accepting the Liberty Medal award from the National Constitution Center (NCC) during the celebration of the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence on July 3.
The Holy Father, a Chicago native who earned a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University in the Philadelphia suburbs, will be given the award to honor his commitment to religious freedom and freedom of conscience and expression around the world. According to a news release From NCC.
The event will be held on Independence Mall, near the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. His remarks will also be livestreamed on the NCC website.
“From its founding, America has recognized freedom of conscience as essential to human liberty and self-governance,” Mike George, chairman of the NCC Board of Trustees, said in a statement.
“The moral leadership of Pope Leo XIV and his defense of religious freedom and free expression epitomize these enduring principles,” he said. “Awarding him the Liberty Medal reaffirms the universal power of these ideals and their relevance beyond our borders.”
The NCC announced on March 16 that Leo would be the recipient, and a Vatican spokesperson confirmed with EWTN News that the Pope would address the event live. The event is scheduled for July 3, but specific times have not been announced yet.
NCC interim CEO and president Vince Stango told EWTN News that Leo was the first choice for the award and that the pontiff’s quick acceptance was “a very efficient process.” “The Board of Trustees really wanted to make sure this was an especially meaningful award recipient” as the country celebrates its 250th anniversary, he said.
Throughout Leo’s service as a priest, a bishop, a cardinal and Pope, Stango said Leo has been dedicated to promoting “religious freedom, human freedom, (and) freedom of conscience” and has consistently advocated “respect for all people, his belief in the inclusion of all people, regardless of their faith.”
Stango said religious freedom “is the foundation of this country,” which is “codified in the Constitution and under the protection of the First Amendment.” “The first American Pope … truly represents those ideals,” he said.
“We are honored to host this event,” Stango said. “We are honored to present this award to Pope Leo.”
Stango said the NCC also plans to bring other religious leaders to the event to contribute to the discussion of inter-religious dialogue and religious freedom in the United States.
Archbishop of Philadelphia Nelson J. Perez said in a statement at CatholicPhilly She is “very grateful and happy” that Leo will receive the award and will attend the festivities virtually.
“It is a fitting recognition of the Holy Father’s long dedication and devotion to advancing the freedom of all people throughout the world,” Pérez said. “In many ways, his tireless work as a priest, bishop, cardinal and now shepherd of the universal Church has focused on uplifting the dignity of all people and forging paths to peace.”
Pérez said Leo’s papacy “unconditionally embraces the stranger, the immigrant, the poor, the homeless, the sick, those struggling with addiction, and all those in need (and) it does so without discrimination.” He also commended the NCC “for its ongoing work to promote the importance of the ideals of the Constitution for the benefit of all who call America home.”
Leo’s alma mater, Villanova University, helped connect the NCC to the Vatican and ultimately helped award the award directly to Leo, according to Stango, who also attended Villanova. NCC is partnering with the City of Philadelphia and Wawa Welcome America for this event.
According to the NCC, the event is part of the Independence Week celebrations in Philadelphia, which was the first capital of the United States. The city was the site of the First and Second Continental Congresses and where the Founders debated and adopted the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
The Liberty Medal has been awarded since 1988 and is hosted by NCC since 2006. The award honors those who strive for freedom globally. Previous recipients include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Senator John McCain, and documentarian Ken Burns.
The weeklong celebration will also feature other guests, including free concerts by Queen Latifah, Idina Menzel, Eve and Kirk Franklin. Events also include fireworks and a parade.
Over the Fourth of July weekend, Leo will also visit the southern Mediterranean island of Lampedusa – a major migrant landing point for people seeking to enter Europe.
Archbishop Nelson J. This story was updated at 11:45 a.m. ET on March 17, 2026, to include Perez’s comments.
