38th Annual Liberty Medal Ceremony

The National Constitution Center will award the 38th annual Liberty Medal to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at a public ceremony held on July 3, 2026, the eve of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, outside the Center on Independence Mall in Philadelphia! The award recognizes The Holy Father’s lifelong work promoting religious liberty and freedom of conscience and expression around the world, ideals enshrined by America’s founders in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Pope Leo intends to deliver live acceptance remarks virtually from the Vatican, which will be livestreamed to those in attendance on Independence Mall, as well as online via the Center’s website.

This special Liberty Medal ceremony, held in celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary and semiquincentennial, is presented in partnership with the City of Philadelphia and Wawa Welcome America as part of the city’s Independence Week events celebrating the semiquincentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Villanova University also played a critical role in shaping this year’s Liberty Medal program. Pope Leo intends to accept the Liberty Medal via live telecast. The ceremony will be streamed live to audiences gathered on Independence Mall, with Comcast NBCUniversal supporting the livestream on site. The National Constitution Center will also broadcast the ceremony through its own livestream platforms, reaching viewers across the nation and around the world.