Date/Time
Date(s) - 07/03/2026
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location
National Constitution Center
Categories
Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV will receive one of the highest international humanitarian honors for his outstanding leadership worldwide at the 38th annual Liberty Medal Ceremony. He will deliver live acceptance remarks virtually from the Vatican in Rome, which will be live-streamed to viewers at Independence Mall and worldwide. Pope Leo, who is of French, Italian, Spanish, and Louisiana Creole descent, studied at Villanova University near Philadelphia in 1977, earning a degree in Mathematics. Civic and faith leaders, as well as visitors from Philadelphia, nationwide and around the world, will celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday. Pope Leo will be recognized for his lifelong achievements to promote religious liberty and freedom of conscience and expression, ideals established in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. He is the first U.S.-born pontiff. Nelson Mandela (1993) and Muhammad Ali (2012) are just two of the past Liberty Medal recipients.
The Liberty Medal Ceremony will be hosted by the City of Philadelphia and Wawa Welcome America. Tickets are closed, but get information about viewing via live-streaming. 11 a.m. EST to noon, National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St. https://constitutioncenter.org/about/liberty-medal or https://july4thphilly.com/event/liberty-medal/