Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, will receive the National Constitution Center’s Liberty Medal during a July 3 ceremony on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, accepting the award remotely from Rome.
The ceremony will take place on the eve of Independence Day as part of events tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary. Organizers said the pope will deliver live remarks via broadcast instead of traveling to the United States, with the event open to the public and available by livestream.
The National Constitution Center selected Pope Leo XIV for the 38th annual Liberty Medal in recognition of his work promoting “religious liberty and freedom of conscience and expression around the world.”
“The Holy Father is deeply grateful to the National Constitution Centre for this prestigious award, in such a meaningful anniversary for the American People, as they are called to reflect on the 250 years of their history holding the Constitution of the United States and Liberty as hallmarks of their heritage for future generations,” said Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert F. Prevost, was raised in Chicago and graduated from Villanova University in 1977, giving him ties to the Philadelphia area. He was elected pope in May 2025, becoming the first American to hold the role.
The ceremony will be held on c near Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and adopted.
The pope is expected to spend July 4 on the Italian island of Lampedusa, a main entry point for migrants crossing the Mediterranean.
The Liberty Medal is awarded each year to individuals who have advanced liberty and human rights. Past recipients include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and civil rights leader John Lewis.
