Live from the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV will accept the National Constitution Center's Liberty Medal in a broadcast
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer
Published March 16, 2026, 6:01 a.m. ET
Pope Leo XIV will be awarded the National Constitution Center’s Liberty Medal on July 3 and will deliver remarks from the Vatican broadcast live on Independence Mall, the Constitution Center announced Monday. The public ceremony, where visitors will be able to hear the first pope from the United States speak live, will occur on the eve of the nation’s 250th birthday.
Philadelphia is set to be the center of this summer’s celebrations marking the Semiquincentennial, and the pope’s participation is a major addition to the festivities. The American-born pontiff’s decision to join the celebration is particularly noteworthy, as he has maintained distance from President Donald Trump’s administration ahead of the 250th anniversary.
“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,” the Press Office of the Holy See, which represents the pope, said in a news release from the Constitution Center.
The Liberty Medal, which has been presented by the nonpartisan Constitution Center since 2006, “recognizes individuals and organizations who strive to secure the blessings of liberty to people around the globe,” according to the release. This year’s program — which will also be streamed online — will be presented in partnership with the City of Philadelphia and Wawa Welcome America.
Read more: https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/pope-leo-xiv-liberty-medal-20260316.html
Full headline: Live from the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV will accept the National Constitution Center’s Liberty Medal in a broadcast on Independence Mall
That's a biggy. Was already going to be packed and jammed on the Ben Franklin Parkway and in Olde City for the festivities and now add this.
Here is a list of the National Constitution Center's past recipents - Past Recipients
As a clarifying note to the Inky article - the Constitution Center itself didn't exist before 2006 (I remember when they built it since I worked in the area at the time), but the actual Liberty Medal was being given out well before then - back to the late '80s. I remember when Nelson Mandela got one in 1993 and I got to see him later that day at the old Philly Civic Center by Penn's campus (even got floor seats!!!) when he was here to receive it, and then gave a speech in the evening at that venue (which is no longer there and was replaced with the PA Convention Center in the Center City part of the Philly, the ribbon-cutting of which I also attended, hosted by then-VP Al Gore).
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