Pope Leo To Receive Liberty Medal For Promoting Religious Liberty

Vatican City, March 17, 2026: The US-based National Constitution Center has announced that it will confer the 38th annual Liberty Medal on Pope Leo XIV on July 3, 2026, during an award ceremony to be held on Independence Mall in Philadelphia.

Vatican News

On July 3, 2026, Pope Leo is set to receive the 38th annual Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Center, on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

“The award recognises the Holy Father’s lifelong work promoting religious liberty and freedom of conscience and expression around the world, ideals enshrined by America’s founders in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution,” said the National Constitution Center in a statement.

The ceremony is scheduled to take place outside the Centre on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, and the Pope plans to deliver his acceptance remarks live from the Vatican via livestream.

The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, stated that the Pope “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 Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, and Liberty as hallmarks of their heritage for future generations.”

The event is expected to gather civic and faith leaders, along with members of the public, to reflect on how America’s founding ideals articulated 250 years ago continue to resonate in a global context today.

Pope Leo XIV’s commitment to dialogue

In its statement, the National Constitution Center emphasised that since his election in May 2025, the Pope “has made interfaith and ecumenical dialogue a defining priority of his pontificate, engaging leaders from Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and other religious communities to promote mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.”

“His outreach reflects a broader moral vision that frames religious liberty not as an abstract right, but as a lived expression of human dignity, particularly for marginalised communities, including religious minorities and those affected by conflict,” the statement continued.

National Constitution Center Interim President and CEO, Vince Stango, highlighted that “the NCC is honored to award the Liberty Medal to Pope Leo XIV for his career as a consistent advocate for religious liberty, freedom of conscience, and human dignity.”

“In formal Vatican statements and public addresses," he continued, "His Holiness has affirmed that peace cannot exist without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, and freedom of expression, principles that closely align with constitutional protections guaranteed by the First Amendment.”

Liberty Medal and the National Constitution Center

The Liberty Medal, established in 1988 and hosted by the National Constitution Center since 2006, honours individuals and organisations that strive to secure the blessings of liberty for people around the world.

This year’s award ceremony, held in celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary and semiquincentennial, is being presented in partnership with the City of Philadelphia and Wawa Welcome America as part of the city’s Independence Week events marking the semiquincentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Villanova University, Pope Leo XIV’s alma mater, also played a role in shaping this year’s Liberty Medal programme.

According to the Centre’s website, the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution.

Courtesy: Vatican News