Pope Leo To Be Honored In Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — Pope Leo XIV will receive the National Constitution Center's 38th annual Liberty Medal during a ceremony on Philadelphia's Independence Mall on Friday, the eve of the nation's 250th anniversary.

The Villanova University alumnus will accept the honor through a video appearance during the hour-long ceremony, where he is expected to deliver remarks recognizing his commitment to religious liberty, freedom of conscience and human dignity.

The event is set for 11 a.m. to noon Friday. But the time is subject to change, according to event organizers.

The Liberty Medal is presented annually to individuals whose work has advanced freedom and liberty around the world.

The event is being co-sponsored by Villanova University, where Pope Leo — then Robert Prevost — earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1977. The university later awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree in 2014.

Pope Leo is the first American-born pope and the first member of the Order of St. Augustine to lead the Catholic Church.

In a recent message to Villanova University's Class of 2026, Pope Leo referenced the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, expressing hope that graduates would "always be faithful to the guiding light that has been so important for these 250 years."

The July 3 ceremony will bring together civic leaders, faith representatives and members of the public as part of celebrations marking the nation's semiquincentennial. The event, including the pope's video remarks, will be livestreamed on the National Constitution Center's website.