First American Pope Celebrates Founding Principles on Independence Eve
WHO:
IJR - Pope Leo XIV is the first American pope.
CNN - Reverend Paul Galetto is a leader of St. Paul Parish in South Philadelphia.
CNN - Vince Stango is the interim president and CEO of the National Constitution Center.
CNN - Michael Moreland is a University Professor of Law and Religion at Villanova.
WHAT:
IJR - Pope Leo XIV praised the US history of welcoming migrants during his address while accepting the Liberty Medal.
The Guardian - Pope Leo stated that the word “America” has become a “byword for freedom” globally due to the country’s welcoming of migrants.
The Guardian - Pope Leo expressed hope that the ideals of “unity, justice and peace” held by the founding fathers would guide the US as it celebrates its 250th anniversary.
The Guardian - Pope Leo will visit Lampedusa, Italy, on July 4, 2026, to mark the US’s 250th anniversary, where he will visit a cemetery and a migrant memorial monument.
The Guardian - More than 182,000 people have transited through Lampedusa's reception center in the past three years, according to the Italian Red Cross.
The Guardian - Since 2014, the International Organization for Migration has recorded tens of thousands of deaths of people attempting to cross the Mediterranean from Tunisia or Libya.
IJR - Pope Leo XIV was honored as the 2026 Liberty Medal recipient by the National Constitution Center.
CNN - The Liberty Medal honors individuals and organizations that strive to secure the blessings of liberty globally.
CNN - Pope Leo XIV will formally accept the Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Center.
CNN - The ceremony will be multi-faith, with clergy from across Philadelphia, and the pope's remarks will be livestreamed.
WHERE:
IJR - The National Constitution Center is located across from Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
CNN - The ceremony will take place less than two miles from St. Paul Parish in South Philadelphia.
WHEN:
The Guardian - Pope Leo will arrive in Lampedusa by helicopter early on July 4, 2026.
CNN - The Liberty Medal will be formally accepted by Pope Leo XIV on July 4, 2026.
CNN - A private ceremony at the Vatican took place in April where the medal was presented to the pope.
WHY:
CNN - Pope Leo XIV was chosen for the award due to his lifelong work promoting religious liberty and freedom of conscience and expression worldwide.
CNN - The selection of Pope Leo XIV for the award is seen as a connection between a Philadelphia story, an American story, and a global story.
HOW:
CNN - The National Constitution Center is dedicated to educating the public about the US Constitution and has hosted civic-minded events, including presidential debates.
(UPDATED July 3, 2026 23:20 UTC)
Pope Leo XIV praised the United States for its history of welcoming migrants during his address while accepting the Liberty Medal, stating that "America" has become a "byword for freedom" around the world. He expressed hope that the ideals of "unity, justice, and peace" held by the founding fathers would guide the nation as it approaches its 250th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, Pope Leo will visit Lampedusa, Italy, on July 4, 2026, where he plans to visit a cemetery and a migrant memorial monument.
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(UPDATED July 3, 2026 21:21 UTC)
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, will formally accept the 2026 Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Center on July 4, 2026, in a ceremony that will feature clergy from various faiths and be livestreamed for the public. The Liberty Medal honors individuals and organizations that work to secure liberty around the world, and Pope Leo XIV was selected for his lifelong commitment to promoting religious freedom and expression. The National Constitution Center, located across from Independence Hall in Philadelphia, is dedicated to educating the public about the U.S. Constitution and has hosted numerous civic-minded events, including presidential debates.