Pope Leo XIV awarded Liberty Medal: 'God bless America'

During a private audience in April, a delegation from the National Constitution Center traveled to the Vatican to present the Pope with the 2026 Liberty Medal to honor his work in promoting religious freedom and freedom of conscience and expression throughout the world—these being ideals central to the founders of the United States in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Three months later on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, Pope Leo XIV officially accepted the 38th Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Center and offered a speech reflecting on the country's founding values, their role today, and what this award means to him.

READ POPE LEO XIV'S FULL ADDRESS

"As a son of this great country, founded by courageous men and women who dreamed of liberty and of a better life for themselves and for their children, I join you in asking God’s blessings upon America’s future, that the lofty ideals enshrined at the beginning of the Declaration of Independence may continue to guide the flourishing of the nation in unity, justice and peace."

These were some of the Pope's opening words as he received the Liberty Medal on Friday. The National Constitution Center’s annual Liberty Medal honors men and women of courage and conviction who strive to secure the blessings of liberty for people around the globe.From Rome, Pope Leo addressed those gathered in Philadelphia, saying he was honored to accept the medal, especially in this historic year marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States with the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.