The National Constitution Center will award this year’s Liberty Medal to Pope Leo XIV.
A ceremony will take place on July 3. The pope will deliver remarks from the Vatican for the ceremony on Independence Mall, writes Fallon Roth for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Pope Leo XIV is the first American-born pope. Born Robert F. Prevost, he graduated from Villanova University in 1977.
The university was “instrumental” in connecting the Constitution Center with the Vatican, said Vince Stango, interim president and CEO of the Constitution Center.
The Liberty Medal was established in 1988. It has been presented annually by the nonpartisan Constitution Center since 2006.
The pope is being recognized for promoting the ideals of freedom of religion and conscience, Stango said.
“The Holy Father is deeply grateful to the National Constitution Center 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,” reads a statement from the Press Office of the Holy See.
Read more about Pope Leo XIV and learn more about the Liberty Medal in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
