POPE Leo XIV has been awarded the 38th Liberty Medal by the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, using his acceptance speech to urge Americans to recommit themselves to the nation’s founding ideals of liberty, human dignity and justice amid deep political and social divisions.
The first American-born pontiff accepted the prestigious award virtually from the Vatican on Friday as the United States marked the eve of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The Liberty Medal recognises individuals whose work has advanced freedom and human rights around the world.
In his address, Pope Leo described himself as “a son of this great country” and expressed hope that the anniversary would inspire Americans to uphold the principles enshrined in the Declaration of Independence.
He said the country’s founding ideals should continue to guide “the flourishing of the nation in unity, justice and peace,” while stressing that the protection of human dignity must extend to “every member of the human family, especially the most vulnerable, from the unborn to the elderly, from the sick to the unemployed, citizens and immigrants alike.”
The National Constitution Center said the award recognises the Pope’s lifelong commitment to promoting religious liberty, freedom of conscience and freedom of expression – principles reflected in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Since his election in May 2025, Pope Leo has also made interfaith dialogue and religious reconciliation central themes of his pontificate.
The ceremony came against the backdrop of increasingly strained relations between the Vatican and U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration has repeatedly found itself at odds with the Pope over immigration policy and the treatment of migrants.
Although the pontiff avoided mentioning Trump by name, his remarks were widely interpreted as an implicit criticism of the administration’s hard-line immigration agenda.
He praised the United States’ long tradition of welcoming immigrants and argued that America’s moral authority has been strengthened by its openness to newcomers seeking freedom and opportunity.
The latest intervention follows weeks of public exchanges between the Vatican and the White House over immigration enforcement.
Pope Leo had criticised policies he believes undermined the dignity of migrants and refugees, while members of the Trump administration pushed back against the Vatican’s position. The disagreements have become one of the defining features of relations between the Holy See and Washington during Pope Leo’s pontificate.
The Pope is also expected to spend the U.S. Independence Day commemorations on the Italian island of Lampedusa, the principal landing point for migrants crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa.
During the visit, he is expected to pray for migrants who died attempting the crossing and celebrate Mass with survivors and humanitarian workers, underscoring his longstanding emphasis on compassion for displaced people.
The Liberty Medal ceremony formed part of nationwide events marking America’s semi-quincentennial and brought together civic, religious and community leaders in Philadelphia, home to both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Past recipients of the Liberty Medal include former U.S. President George W. Bush, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Dalai Lama, Congressman John Lewis and former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
