The National Constitution Center will present its 38th annual Liberty Medal to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in a public ceremony July 3 — the eve of America's 250th anniversary — on Independence Mall in Philadelphia.
FOX 29 Philadelphia reported March 16 that the award recognizes Pope Leo's lifelong commitment to promoting religious liberty, freedom of conscience, and expression worldwide — “ideals rooted in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution,” the report says.
The ceremony will take place in front of Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed. Pope Leo XIV will deliver a live acceptance speech from the Vatican in a livestream that will be made available online.
According to NBC Philadelphia, the event will gather civic and faith leaders alongside the general public and forms part of Philadelphia's broader Independence Week celebrations.
The event is a collaborative effort, presented in partnership with the City of Philadelphia and Wawa Welcome America. Villanova University, a Catholic institution established and managed by the Augustinians, is also involved, a point of pride as Pope Leo is an alumnus.
Vince Stango, interim president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, noted that the occasion invites reflection on how the ideals of freedom are carried forward across generations and around the world, adding that the center is honored to recognize Pope Leo XIV for his consistent advocacy for religious liberty, freedom of conscience, and human dignity.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, has prioritized interfaith and ecumenical dialogue since his election in May 2025, working with leaders from Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and other communities to foster respect and peaceful coexistence.
Mike George, chair of the center’s Board of Trustees, stated that the Pope's moral leadership and defense of religious freedom and free expression embody enduring principles, and that honoring him with the Liberty Medal affirms the universal reach of those ideals.
The Liberty Medal was established in 1988 and has been hosted by the National Constitution Center since 2006. Past recipients include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Senator John McCain, Rep. John Lewis, the Dalai Lama, and Malala Yousafzai.